What Can You Put in a Skip?
You can put most general waste from home or construction projects in a skip bin, including wood, soil, rubble, furniture, cardboard, and household rubbish. However, you cannot dispose of hazardous items like asbestos, refrigerators, electronics, batteries, chemicals, or food waste. Always fill the skip only to the level load line to avoid extra charges.
Skip Contents Cheat Sheet: What Can and Can’t Go In?
Use this guide to quickly identify what is safe to put in your skip. General waste, construction materials, and garden waste are usually acceptable. Hazardous materials, electronics (WEEE waste), and certain bulky items are strictly prohibited or require special handling and may incur extra fees.
Quick Reference Table: What’s Allowed and What’s Not
| Item | Allowed in Skip? | Notes & Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| GENERAL WASTE | ||
| Furniture (sofas, tables) | ✅ | Break down large items to maximise space. |
| Wood, Metal, Plastic | ✅ | Keep materials loose for easier sorting at the depot. |
| Clothes, Old Toys | ✅ | |
| Cardboard & Packaging | ✅ | Flatten all boxes to save significant room. |
| CONSTRUCTION WASTE | ||
| Bricks, Rubble, Concrete | ✅ | Ideal for skips. Note this makes the skip very heavy. |
| Soil & Garden Waste | ✅ | Some companies require soil to be in a separate skip. Check first. |
| Carpet & Flooring | ✅ | Cut into manageable strips for easier loading. |
| PROHIBITED ITEMS | ||
| Mattresses | ❌ (Usually) | CRITICAL: Most companies charge extra or forbid them. See our mattress disposal guide below. |
| Refrigerators / Freezers | ❌ (Strictly) | Contains hazardous chemicals. Must be disposed of by a licensed WEEE facility. |
| TVs & Monitors | ❌ (Strictly) | Contains toxic materials. Take to your local household recycling centre. |
| Asbestos | ❌ (Strictly) | DANGEROUS. Requires specialist removal. Never place in a skip. |
| Plasterboard / Gypsum | ❌ (Strictly) | Banned from landfills with other waste. Requires separate disposal. |
| Batteries & Electronics | ❌ (Strictly) | Fire hazard and toxic. Dispose of at WEEE collection points. |
| Food Waste | ❌ (Strictly) | Attracts vermin and can contaminate other recyclable materials. |
| Paint, Solvents, Liquids | ❌ (Strictly) | Hazardous chemicals that can pollute the environment. |
| Gas Canisters / Tyres | ❌ (Strictly) | Pressurised and difficult to recycle. Requires special disposal services. |
How to Fill a Skip Properly and Avoid Overloading Charges
To fill a skip properly, start with flat items like doors or cardboard at the bottom. Follow with heavy, bulky items, then fill the gaps with smaller waste. Do not fill the skip past the marked “level load” line. Overfilled skips are illegal to transport and will incur extra charges.
- Start with Flat Items: Place items like cardboard, doors, or large sheets of wood flat on the bottom of the skip to create a solid base.
- Add Heavy/Bulky Items: Load your heaviest items next, such as rubble, concrete, or large furniture. Distribute them evenly.
- Break Down Everything: Dismantle furniture, flatten boxes, and break up large pieces of wood or plaster. This prevents air pockets and creates up to 30% more space.
- Fill the Gaps: Use smaller, loose debris to fill in any remaining empty spaces.
- Stop at the Fill Line: The “level load” line is not a suggestion. It is a legal requirement for safe transport.
Try This Now
- Before you start, separate your waste into three piles: Flat Items, Bulky Items, and Loose Debris.
- Spend 10 minutes breaking down at least one large piece of furniture.
- Place your first item in the skip: a large, flat piece of cardboard.
Common Problems and Solutions
Problem: An uneven “peak” is forming in the middle.
Solution: Stop and redistribute the waste to the corners to level the load.
Problem: The skip is full but you have more waste.
Solution: Check for air pockets. Can you break anything down further? If it’s truly full, do not overfill. Call the skip company to arrange an exchange or a second skip.
Your Action Plan for Mattresses, Fridges, and Other Problem Items
Mattresses, fridges, and TVs cannot go in a standard skip. Mattresses often require a special collection service from the skip company for an extra fee. Fridges and TVs (WEEE) must be taken to a designated council recycling centre or collected by a licensed disposal service.
Disposal Solutions for Problem Items
| Problem Item | Your Best Option | Step-by-Step Action |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress | 1. Ask Your Skip Hire Company | Call and ask about dedicated mattress collection services. This is the easiest solution. |
| 2. Council Bulky Waste Collection | Check your local council’s website for their bulky waste collection service. It’s often cheaper but may take longer to arrange. | |
| Fridge / Freezer | 1. Retailer Take-Back Scheme | If you’re buying a new appliance, the retailer is often required to take the old one away. |
| 2. Council Recycling Centre | Find your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) that accepts refrigerators. You will need to transport it there yourself. | |
| TV / Computer Monitor | 1. Council Recycling Centre (WEEE) | Your local HWRC will have a dedicated area for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). This is usually a free service. |
| 2. Charity Donation | If the item is still in working order, consider donating it to a local charity. |
Your Skip Questions Answered
Can you put a sofa in a skip?
Yes, sofas are generally allowed. To save space and make it fit, you should break it down as much as possible before loading it into the skip.
Can I throw food in a skip?
No. Food waste is strictly prohibited as it attracts pests, creates odours, and can contaminate an entire load of otherwise recyclable materials.
What size skip do I need for a mattress?
While you usually can’t put a mattress in a mixed waste skip, if you arrange for a dedicated collection, you’ll need at least a 4-metre skip for a single or double, and a 6 or 8-metre skip for larger mattresses to ensure they fit without bending.
Can you put clothes and old duvets in a skip?
Yes, textiles like clothes and duvets are acceptable. However, consider donating them to charity if they are in good condition as a more environmentally friendly option.
Do you need to hire a skip bin? Contact the friendly team at Tiny Tins today for the best prices on a range of skip bin sizes that perfectly suit a variety of waste types.
