Skip Hire Waste Restrictions Guide

Reliable Skip Bournemouth’s Restrictions: 

All companies set their own individual guidelines on what they allow but these are the main items that we and most companies don’t allow. The inability to follow these guidelines can lead to legal action being taken.

Upholstered Furniture – POPs

New legislation was introduced at the beginning of 2023 which has changed the way that upholstered furniture is disposed of. Persistent Organic Pollutants can be found in items such as sofas, armchairs, and footstools. They do not break down and can be very dangerous for our environment and the health of all humans and animals. We can help you with the proper disposal of these items but please be sure to contact us to get more information about extra charges.

Electrical Appliances and Equipment

One of the most common occurrences we see is people trying to put their old electrical appliances into a skip. However, these are strictly prohibited from entering our skips as they can be very dangerous for our skip operators. These items include any appliance that needs a plug, batteries, or requires a charger to power it. All electricals should be taken to a licensed disposal point that specialises in recycling electricals. You can find your local one here.

Mattresses

We are more than happy to responsibly dispose of your unwanted mattress. However, due to the nature of having to do this, we ask for an added cost of £45 – £50 + VAT per mattress. You also need to inform us prior to putting in the skip so we know it’s there when collected.

Plasterboard

This material is restricted from going into a skip due to the hazardous risk it poses. When it mixes with water and some other waste items it can emit very harmful gases making it a large health risk. Very small amounts of plasterboard, which would amount to 1 or 2 bin bags worth, can be placed on top of all the rubbish in those bags. Any plasterboard found in the skip not wrapped up, and/or in large quantities can leave you with a fine of half of what the skip cost you to hire. You can contact us if you’d like to book a plasterboard-only skip.

Batteries

Batteries contain harmful substances such as lead and this means that they can’t just go straight to the landfill. If they leak they can be seriously dangerous if you come into contact with them. They need to be cleaned and prepared to go to the landfill which means they need to be taken to a specialist disposal point. Battery bins can be found in local garages and petrol stations. Also, it does not matter what size the battery is. All batteries including AAA and car batteries can’t go in a skip.

Asbestos

Under no circumstances do we allow asbestos in our skips. It’s one of the most dangerous materials around the world as if you are exposed to it, it can increase your chances of lung disease and cancer. If you find asbestos, call a specialist as soon as possible.

Gas Cylinders

All gas cylinders are never truly empty like you think they are. There’s always some residue left at the bottom of the can. This gas is very flammable and is why they are not allowed in our skips. If you call up the manufacturer of your gas cylinders, they will most likely take them off your hands. Sometimes, you can find a specialist who is able to re-use the canisters and give you a little sum of money in return.

Medical Waste

There are many different items that can go under this title some being bodily fluids, and items such as needles, whether used or not. With medical waste, there are specific guidelines to ensure that no one is put at risk of infection or contamination. This is why we don’t allow these in the skips because we want to keep our skip operators safe. If you’d like more information about the medical waste guidelines visit the Department of Health.

Glass

We allow the odd bit of glass from a photo frame or mirror, but if you have a much larger quantity of glass you need to throw away then it can’t go in the general mixed waste skips. This can be dangerous and it also needs to be separated from the other waste before arriving at the landfill. If you do, however, find yourself in a position with lots of glass, we can discuss booking a glass-only skip over the phone, our number is 01202 935006.

Tyres & Other Items

In some cases, we are able to assist in the removal of rubber items like tyres for an added cost. Like in the case of a mattress, you will need to inform us prior to placing them in the skip. However, if you have an item that isn’t rubber or that isn’t listed above, you can always call us up to ask if it can go in the skip or not.

Paint, Solvents, and Fuels

All 3 of these substances are definitely not allowed to be put into a skip. They are all combustible substances so they pose a high risk to the people involved in moving and disposing of your waste. Also, without the right protection, if you come into contact with these substances, it can cause chemical burns and injuries. They should be disposed of at a specialist licensed center.

Are You Ready to Hire Your Skip? 

Although we have to restrict some items from being put in a skip, it doesn’t make hiring a skip any less convenient and helpful. If you are having a house clearance, or working on a large construction site, a skip is the best way to move lots of rubbish to the landfill in one go. 

We have a range of sizes for you to pick from which we constantly check the prices to make sure we can offer you a great, low price. Click here to use our price checker and order your skip!