Millions of tonnes of waste are being disposed of each year, raising the demand for proper waste management. You could try to do it yourself or save time by hiring a skip bin and letting experts take care of everything.
Skip bins are a convenient way to easily dispose of a large amount of waste. Whether you’re doing a construction project, a major home renovation, or simply decluttering your home, then you can rely on a skip bin company to take care of waste disposal for you.
Hiring a domestic skip bin for your home is as simple as calling the company, discussing the type of skip bin you’ll need, and completing payment. Once those are settled, the skip bin will be delivered to your home and picked up after seven days.
In the event you fill it up sooner than that, simply drop a line and a driver will come around and pick it up for you!
One of the things you’ll discuss over the phone is the limitations of your skip bin use. The friendly staff will go over what you can and cannot put in a skip bin.
It’s not easy to remember all that, so here’s a reference you can check before your next domestic skip bin hire!
Things You Can Put In A Skip Bin
There are three general categories of items you can put in a skip bin. These are, namely: general household waste, garden waste, and renovation waste.
If you’re not sure your items fit in that category, refer to the list for each category below:
General Household Waste
- Clothes
- Kitchenware such as tools, utensils, dishes, and cookware
- Toys
- Kitchen and cleaning appliances such as dishwashers, dryers, fridges, washing machines, etc.
- Entertainment equipment such as TVs, DVD players, speakers, etc.
- Computers, cellular phones, and related accessories
- Paper waste such as old books, newspapers, magazines, print materials, etc.
- Empty cans
- Glass bottles, jars, etc.
- Food packaging such as plastic bottles, empty cartons, etc.
- Furniture of any sort
- Cardboard boxes or packaging
- Non-electrical fittings
Garden Waste
- Clippings
- Leaves
- Branches, twigs
- Wood or tree bark
- Pebbles
- Woodchips
- Flowers, buds
Renovation Waste
- Concrete
- Bricks
- Tiles
- Sand
- Metal
- Dirt
- Steel
Remember, even if you can put all these types of waste in your skip bin, you cannot mix them together. Categorize your waste and keep them separate upon disposal. It’s also great to have an idea of what type of waste you’ll dispose of and inform your skip bin hire ahead of time. This will help them offer the right kind and type of skip bin for your convenience.
Additional Charges
Some skip bin companies will charge extra for certain types of waste. They are allowed, but require special methods of proper waste disposal hence the added cost.
- Mattresses and bed bases
- Carpets and underlay
- Rubber
- Rubber flooring
- Synthetic grass
- AstroTurf
- Soft Fall
- Vinyl
What You Can’t Put In A Skip Bin
Some items cannot be placed in most skip bins. They are mostly hazardous materials that require extra special handling. Most companies may not be equipped to handle these and will let you know in advance about their restrictions. These include:
- Asbestos
- Batteries (Car & Household)
- Compressed Gas Cylinders
- Compressed Gas Cylinders
- Insulation material
- Putrescible waste (food waste, liquids etc)
- Chemicals of any kind
- Explosives
- Fibro-Cement Sheeting
- Fibreglass Roof Sheeting
- Fibro (compressed or not)
- Poisons
- Radioactive materials
- Fluorescent Bulbs
- Fuel
- Medical Waste
- Oil
- Paint
- Solvents
- Gas Bottles
If you really need to dispose of these materials, here are some tips you can follow.
Medical Waste
During this health crisis, we may find ourselves disposing of medical waste such as used gloves and masks from our own homes. Don’t throw them into your skip bins. This can increase the risk of infection and contamination.
All medical wastes need special treatment. Contact your Department of Health for proper waste disposal of used protective equipment, biological wastes, used needles, and other medical waste.
White Goods
You can throw your old appliances into your skip but they must be de-gassed, with all the lids and doors removed. This might be tricky to do on your own and you’re better off taking them to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) centre near you.
Fluorescent Bulbs
These contain one of the most hazardous materials, mercury. Get in touch with a specialist and your local recycling centre for proper disposal.
Paints, Solvents, or Fuel
As combustible wastes, these should not be tossed into your skip bin. Instead, contact the proper recycling authorities to prevent causing respiratory harm, chemical burns, and other health risks.
Tyres
There are designated tyre collection centers. The Australian Tyre Recyclers Association may assist you in finding one. Manufacturers have their own methods of correctly disposing of them and the same goes for other waste made of rubber or similar materials.
Alternately, you can recycle them into furniture, rubber flooring for playgrounds, or plant pots.
Waste That Can Be Accepted Conditionally
Some skip bin companies may have the proper license or knowledge to dispose of special waste types others might not accept. It’s best to confirm this over a call.
Gas Cylinders
Not all skip bin companies have the license to properly dispose of gas cylinders even if they’re empty ones. Try to contact the manufacturer and they’ll happily collect them for reuse and recycling. When in doubt, contact your skip bin company of choice first.
Plasterboards
The government aims to recycle more plasterboard and gypsum waste and therefore they need to be delivered to a dedicated recycling facility. Many skip bins hire companies will accept them if they are the only waste in the skip.
Asbestos
Perhaps one of the most controversial waste types, it is considered a highly dangerous material that cannot be recycled or further reused. If you find asbestos in your home, seek the help of a company that is licensed to inspect and remove the hazardous material.
There are several rules and regulations regarding proper asbestos disposal and it’s best to find a real expert.
Conclusion
Proper waste removal helps you do your part in preserving the environment and protecting public health. Get familiar with the types of waste you can and cannot put in a skip bin, and find a company that can do it all!
