What Can’t Be Put in a Skip? A Guide by L&S Waste Management

When undertaking a clearance project, no matter the size, the goal is often to quickly and efficiently clear away as much waste as possible. While a skip is an excellent solution for various types of waste, there are certain items that you cannot dispose of in a skip. To save you time and ensure your skip hire experience goes smoothly, we’ve compiled a list of items that cannot be put into a skip. Keep these in mind during your clear out.

Items You Cannot Put Into a Skip

Electrical Equipment

Before disposing of old TVs and kitchen appliances, remember the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive. WEEE recycling is the only proper way to dispose of your old electronics. The following items should not be thrown into a skip:

Fridges
Toasters
Microwaves
Electric cookers and fans
Televisions
Telephones
Computer screens and towers
Fax machines
Printers and scanners

Liquids

Liquids are considered hazardous waste and should not be disposed of in a skip. Instead, take any oils or liquid waste to your local recycling facility. Empty oil containers can be thrown away, but the oil must be completely emptied out first. Liquids you can’t put into a skip include:

Hydraulic oil
Engine oil (petrol or diesel)
Cooking oil
Medical waste

Solvents and Chemicals

These compounds are hazardous and cannot be put into a standard skip. Arrange for a licensed hazardous waste contractor to dispose of the following items separately:

Paints or paint tins with leftover paint
Glue
Bleach
Detergent
Processing fluids
White spirits
Herbicides

Miscellaneous Items

Batteries (household or vehicle)
Tyres
Plasterboard
Gas cylinders
Asbestos

Furniture containing POPS

Soft furnishings, such as sofas, armchairs, and mattresses, are often treated with flame retardants to reduce the risk of fire. However, many of these flame retardants contain Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which can leach into the environment when the soft furnishings are disposed of improperly. This can lead to contamination of soil, water, and wildlife, as well as pose a risk to human health.

Read our blog on POPs here.

What Can You Put Into a Skip?

To ensure a smooth disposal process, it’s essential to know what you can and cannot put into a skip.

This clarity helps minimise wasted time and potential issues with your skip hire. Additionally, understanding your waste disposal needs allows you to choose the right size skip. Hiring a skip that’s too small can lead to extra costs and delays, while hiring one that’s too large can be unnecessarily expensive. For advice on the appropriate skip size for your needs, contact L&S.

Choose the Right Skip for Your Project

Once you know what you can and can’t put into a skip, it’s time to find the right skip for your project. At L&S Waste Management, we offer a diverse range of skip sizes delivered directly to you. With same-day delivery available and a strong commitment to customer service, we’re here to help you find exactly what you need. For more information, contact our friendly team today.