What can I put into a skip?

Are you wondering “What can I put into a skip?” If so, you’re certainly not alone. Many people aren’t sure what they can and can’t put into skips, particularly if it’s their first time using one. At Thompson Skips and Fuels, we’ve created a guide to help make it clear which items are permitted in skips.

Items you can put in skips

Our skips in Doncaster are suitable for most types of rubbish. So, whether you’re clearing your overgrown garden, renovating your kitchen, or you need to get rid of commercial waste such as rubble or hardcore, there’s a good chance we can assist. Below is a breakdown of the commonly accepted rubbish types for skips across both domestic and commercial hire. 

Household waste:

• Wood
• Tiles
• Plaster
• Paper and cardboard
• Plastic and polystyrene
• Non-electrical fittings
• Garden waste (soil, leaves, clippings etc.)

Examples of construction waste streams that can go in skips:

• Bricks
• Metals
• Concrete
• Rubble
• Stones

Generally, if items aren’t harmful to the environment, there’s a good chance you can put them in a skip. If you’re not sure if you can put something into a skip, it’s best to talk to us. We’ve been providing skip hire in the Doncaster area for many years and can offer expert advice.

Items you can’t put in a skip

Whilst skips in Doncaster are a very effective means of getting rid of rubbish, there are limitations on what you can put into them. Some people assume they can put whatever they want into a skip, however, this isn’t the case. Several items are prohibited due to health and safety regulations. They are usually hazardous to the environment and need to be handled in an alternative way. Some prohibited items are not hazardous but do require dedicated recycling or extra work to dispose of. 

Items you can’t put in a skip include:

• Asbestos
• Gas cylinders and bottles
• Batteries
• Explosives
• Oil, petrol, diesel
• Paint
• Chemicals
• Electrical appliances or equipment, including fridges, freezers, dishwashers and TVs. All waste electricals (WEEE) need to be taken to a WEEE recycling facility to be disposed of.
• Medical and clinical waste
• Tyres
• Plasterboard
• Mattresses 
• Fluorescent tubes
• Mattresses
• Aerosols

Electrical waste in skips

Many people don’t realise that they can’t put electrical waste in skips, often putting items like old TVs, computers, and even fridge freezers into them. However, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive states that electrical items must be disposed of separately. This is intended to reduce the WEEE in landfill. If you have electrical appliances or equipment to get rid of, you should get advice from a specialist disposal company.

Construction waste in skips

When asking us “What can I put into a skip?”, many people assume that construction and demolition waste will be banned. However, that’s not usually the case. This is because even though many of these materials aren’t naturally degradable, they can often be repurposed. For example, as recycled aggregates or as topsoil for use in the construction industry. So, if you’re looking for commercial skips for construction companies, you can rest assured that materials such as soil, cement, rubble and sand can all be placed into skips.

What happens if I put prohibited items into a skip?

If you put prohibited items in a skip, you can expect to be charged extra. This is because the skip hire company needs to carry out additional work to dispose of them safely. In serious cases, they may even refuse to transport the skip, particularly if it puts their crew’s safety at risk. 

As well as being conscious of what you yourself put into a skip, it’s important to be mindful of what other people might put into it. If a member of the general public puts waste into your skip, which is known as fly-tipping, you are responsible for it and it’s you who will pay the price. Therefore, if you think that someone has put rubbish into your skip, you should report it to your local authority as soon as possible. 

Hire commercial or domestic skips in Doncaster 

At Thompson Skips and Fuels, we’ve been providing skip hire services in Doncaster and the surrounding areas for many years. We have skips available for both domestic and commercial use, ranging from small mini skips all the way through to enormous RORO skips. Whether you’re clearing rubbish out of your attic at home or you’re a construction company seeking an affordable and eco-friendly means of disposing of waste, we can assist. Skips are available for both long and short term hire, with fast delivery available too. 

Waste management services

When you choose Thompson Skips and Fuels for skip hire in Doncaster, you can relax in the knowledge that your waste is being disposed of in the most environmentally friendly manner. We’ve invested in our state of the art recycling centre, ensuring we can recycle as much waste as possible. This keeps huge amounts of rubbish f

rom ending up in landfills and causing damage to the environment. Whether you’re a business looking to maintain your green credentials or an individual keen to cut your carbon footprint, we can assist. We’re constantly keeping up to date with the latest rules and regulations surrounding waste management. Therefore, you can rest assured that you’ll be complying with your legal obligations when disposing of rubbish.  

Contact us

If you’re still wondering “What can I put into a skip?”, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. We can let you know exactly what you can and can’t put into our domestic and commercial skips in Doncaster. Telephone us on 01302 969 709 or send us a message via the website. Furthermore, we’ll be happy to answer any questions and queries you may have.