Skip Hire: Efficient Waste Disposal in Rochester & Medway Areas
We’ve watched Rochester and the surrounding Medway towns boom over the past decade. Working daily with local residents and businesses, we’ve seen firsthand how this growth creates waste management challenges for everyone – from homeowners in Rochester’s conservation area to developers breaking ground in Gillingham.
The numbers tell the story: our region now generates a whopping 112,000 tonnes of household waste yearly across our 280,000 residents. But what’s fascinating is how each area has its own waste “personality”:
In Rochester’s historic centre, renovation waste has climbed steadily by 15% in recent years. About 60% of our customers here are homeowners knee-deep in renovation projects or tackling years of garden overgrowth.
Cross the river to Strood and everything changes. With all the new development, construction waste has surged by 22%, and nearly two-thirds of our skip bookings come from commercial projects.
Chatham generates roughly 18% more mixed household waste than the Medway average – likely because of its diverse property types and business mixture.
Meanwhile, Gillingham’s explosion of new housing estates has driven construction waste up by a massive 30% in just two years.
Which Skip Size Do You Actually Need?
After thousands of deliveries throughout Rochester and Medway, we’ve spotted some interesting patterns in what works where. Here’s what we’ve learned:
1. Rochester City Centre and Conservation Areas
Space comes at a premium in Rochester’s historic streets! That’s why our 4 yard skip dominate here (42% of all our bookings). They’re perfect for squeezing into those challenging access spots while still holding enough waste for a decent bathroom refit.
The 6 midi yard skip follows closely behind (38% of our Rochester orders) – ideal when tackling something substantial like clearing an overgrown Victorian garden or updating those characterful terraced houses.
2. Strood’s Developing Landscape
Over in Strood, it’s all about our 8 yard skip. They make up nearly half our deliveries there (45%), perfect for the commercial developments transforming the area.
For larger construction sites, 12 yard skips account for about a quarter of Strood deliveries – these monsters handle serious amounts of building waste without needing constant exchanges.
3. Chatham’s Mixed Requirements
Chatham’s diverse property mix means the versatile 6 yard skip rules here (40% of orders).
The 8-yard option follows at 35%, particularly popular with local businesses refreshing their premises or clearing years of accumulated stock.
4. Gillingham’s New Builds
With all the new housing developments, Gillingham is firmly 8-yard territory (48% of our deliveries). Developers find these perfect for managing ongoing construction waste while keeping sites tidy.
For larger development phases, our 12 yard skips account for 22% of Gillingham deliveries, handling the heavy-duty requirements of major building work.
Your Real-World Guide to Skip Sizes
Having helped thousands of customers throughout Rochester match their project to the right skip, here’s our practical advice:
4-Yard Skip: The City Centre Solution
- What fits? About 40-50 black bin bags of waste
- Perfect for: Weekend garage clear-outs or small bathroom renovations
- Where it works best: Rochester’s historic streets and conservation areas with limited access
- Real example: Last week we provided one to a customer renovating a small Victorian bathroom on Star Hill – ideal for the tight access while handling all the old fixtures and tiles
6-Yard Skip: The All-Rounder
- What fits? Roughly 60-70 bin bags worth
- Perfect for: Kitchen renovations, garden makeovers, small office clearances
- Where it works best: Residential streets throughout Rochester and Chatham
- Real example: A customer on Rochester High Street recently used one for clearing their shop stockroom – not too imposing on the street while providing ample capacity
8-Yard Skip: The Renovation Champion
- What fits? Approximately 80-90 bin bags equivalent
- Perfect for: Full house renovations, commercial refits, substantial garden landscaping
- Where it works best: Strood’s wider roads and Gillingham’s new estates
- Real example: We’ve delivered several to the new housing development off Berwick Way, providing efficient waste management throughout their build process
12-Yard Skip: The Commercial Powerhouse
- What fits? A massive 120-130 bin bags equivalent
- Perfect for: Major building projects, commercial demolition, complete property clearances
- Where it works best: Business parks and new development sites with good access
- Real example: We recently supplied these to a commercial site in Medway City Estate, handling a complete office strip-out
Our Environmental Commitment
We’re particularly proud of how we’ve improved our recycling rates over the years. When we first started this business, too much went straight to landfill. Now:
- We divert around 75% of Rochester’s skip waste from landfill
- Our construction waste recycling has improved by 23% since 2019
- An impressive 95% of garden waste gets composted or repurposed
Sorting facility separates wood, metal, soil, and concrete for recycling – making a genuine difference to Medway’s environmental footprint and helping our customers meet their sustainability goals.
Why Choose Us for Your Rochester Skip Hire?
Having served our Rochester community for years, we’ve developed:
- Deep local knowledge – especially valuable for navigating Rochester’s historic streets and conservation areas
- Flexible hire periods that work around your project timeline, not ours
- Transparent pricing without those annoying hidden fees that appear on the final bill
- Responsive service with same-day delivery often possible (just give us a ring to check availability)
- Council permit assistance for on-road placement, saving you the headache
Getting It Right for Your Project
Whether you’re clearing out your Rochester terrace house, renovating a Chatham commercial property, or managing waste at a Gillingham development site, choosing the right skip makes all the difference to your project’s efficiency.
We’ve seen firsthand how the right waste solution keeps projects on track and budgets in check. With Rochester and Medway continuing to grow, professional waste management remains essential for our community’s sustainable development.
Need help choosing? Give us a call!
Need advice on the perfect skip for your specific Rochester project? Give our team a call
Need help choosing? 0800 260 5989! today – we’d be happy to share our local expertise and find the ideal solution for your needs.
