For a local skip hire quote, call us on 01942 248 965
SKIP TIPS
Tip 1
Before the Skip Arrives, Prepare
Before your skip is delivered you’ll need to consider where the skip will be located on your property. It needs to be positioned on a flat and stable surface in an area that’s free from obstructions. This will make it easier to load your rubbish into the skip but will also avoid causing injury or damage to you or others.
Tip 2
Consider Public Safety
If you need to place the skip on council owned land, such as a public highway, you’ll require a skip permit. Skip permits are issued by your local council, and prices range from £15 to more than £60. If your skip is to be located on a public highway, make sure you let us know as the skip will need a Permit and may require safety equipment, such as lights and cones. We will make sure these are arranged for you before delivery. Different Councils have different rules for Skip Permits and safety equipment, for example, in the Wigan area, any skip placed on the highway must have warning lights placed on the skip from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise otherwise you may face a fine from them. Again, we will arrange these for you.
Tip 3
Delivery of Skip
On the day of delivery, please give clear instructions to the Driver regarding where your skip should be positioned. Make sure this area is clear from any obstructions and that no people, pets or children are in the vicinity.
Once the skip has been delivered please don’t attempt to move it. Skips are very heavy and doing so could risk injury or damage to you, your property or the skip. In addition, if the skip is relocated, it may not be accessible to the vehicle collecting it.
When loading a skip with Household Waste, it’s best to load lighter items at the bottom, as they will be compressed by heavier items on top. This way, less room is taken up and you’ll be able to get more into the skip. Larger items like furniture are hard to fit into skips and can take up a lot of space. By breaking these items up before packing them you’ll be able to fit more in and load it more efficiently. This can save you time and money on constant loading and unloading.
If your skip is for heavy Construction Waste, like soil, flagstones or brick, load the heavier items first with lighter items on top. Smaller items or materials like soil will naturally fill the spaces in and around these larger items and it’s a more efficient way of filling the skip.
Pay attention to the way you load heavy items to avoid injury to your back. If possible, get an extra pair of hands to help with loading bulky items. Keep your back straight, bend your knees and lift with your legs.
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Tip 5
Do Not Overfill
Overfilling of a skip can be dangerous and it’s against the law for a skip company to move an overfilled skip. A skip shouldn’t be filled past the top of the skip sides.
If you think you may have a lot of waste to dispose of it’s always better to order a larger more commercial sized skip than one that’s too small. The cost may be more but you avoid the risk of hiring twice and having to overfill a skip that’s too small.
Tip 6
Hazardous Waste
There are several things that you should not be putting in your skip as they may be classed as special or hazardous waste. If you’re looking for advice on hazardous waste disposal, however, you can contact us about that too. Here’s a list of some of the things that you can’t put in your skip:
Mattresses, couches and other large fabric-based furniture
Carpets and carpet tiles
Roofing Felt
Plasterboard
WEEE (Electrical and Electronic Equipment)
Tyres
Fridges and Freezers
‘White’ goods
Petrol
Paint cans
Asbestos
Batteries
Chemical waste
Fluorescent tubes
Items that are considered hazardous will have their own set of rules and guidelines that govern their disposal. Some items such as asbestos will need specialist help to deal with their removal while other items such as batteries or fridges should be taken to a recycling centre to be disposed of. When it comes to hazardous waste and skips the simple rule is leave it out. If in doubt, please ask us.
