What Can and Can’t You Put in a Skip? A Comprehensive List
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the types of waste you can safely dispose of in a skip, as well as the types of items you should never throw away. Let’s dive into what’s allowed and what’s not.
Whether you’re renovating your house, cleaning out your small or large garden waste, or tackling a commercial or industrial site, the first questions that often arise is: “What can and can’t I put in a skip?” When hiring a skip for your home or business project
Skips are the most reliable and affordable way to dispose of any waste, whether you are disposing of household waste, commercial waste or any industrial waste. So it’s important to know what items skip hire companies allow to be placed into a skip and what can’t be disposed of in a skip to avoid penalties by complying with legal requirements. Have a look at the complete list of hazardous or non-hazardous waste.
What Can You Put in a Skip?
Generally, skip hire companies allow the disposal of general household and garden waste. Let’s explore the complete list of what you can put in your skip without any additional charges or fines. Let’s GO..
1. General Household Waste
Furniture (Non-Electrical):
- Tables, chairs, sofas (if not POPs-regulated or confirmed by the skip provider)
- Bed frames (without mattresses)
- Soft Furnishings & Textiles:
- Curtains, rugs, blankets
- Clothing (non-contaminated)
Packaging Materials:
- Cardboard boxes
- Bubble wrap
- Plastic wrapping and bags
Plastic & Paper Waste:
- Bottles and food containers (clean/empty)
- Newspapers, magazines, junk mail
Toys & Miscellaneous Items:
- Non-electrical toys (plastic, wood)
- Books, board games, photo frames
Broken Household Items:
- Dishes, ceramics, cups (non-hazardous)
- Mirrors (small pieces, not full sheets or windows)
Kitchenware:
- Pots, pans, cutlery
- Kitchen utensils
Small Quantities of Non-Food Waste:
- Pet waste (bagged)
- Broken decorations, ornaments
You can conveniently manage these with our 4-yard skip hire or 6-yard skip hire services.
2. Construction and Renovation Waste
If you are working on small to large buildings or renovation projects, skips are a helpful way to dispose of your construction waste, including:
- Wood, timber, and doors
- Broken tiles and ceramics
- Concrete, bricks, and rubble (limited weight restrictions may apply) Discuss over call first
- Plasterboard (some companies restrict it due to disposal issues) Discuss over call first
For heavier loads, consider our 8-yard skip hire or 10-yard skip hire options.
3. Garden or Green Waste
Small skips are ideal for disposing of green waste, such as
- Grass cuttings
- Leaves and hedge clippings
- Small branches, twigs, and shrubs
- Soil and turf (Note: some skips may have weight restrictions) Discuss over call first.
- Plants and flowers
Small or large garden waste is accepted in skips, but if you plan to dispose of large tree stumps or large amounts of soil call our professionals for more details.
Easily be disposed of with our garden waste removal skip or 12-yard skip hire for larger projects.
4. Metal Waste
Metal waste can usually be disposed of in skips, including:
- Metal pipes
- Broken metal furniture
- Drink cans and Bedframes
- Aluminium or steel sheets
- Scrap metal (e.g., old bicycles or metal parts)
Most of the skip hire companies allow a higher percentage of metal waste:
5. Miscellaneous
Have a look at miscellaneous items can we put on a skip:
- Books and paper waste
- Old mattresses (if allowed by your provider, as mattress disposal is typically prohibited in skips in the UK) Discuss with professionals first
- Non-recyclable plastic
6. Office or Commercial Waste
- Non-electrical office furniture
- Paper and cardboard
- Filing cabinets
Pro Tip: Always double-check with your skip provider if you’re unsure. Some companies allow small amounts of restricted materials under specific conditions.
What You Can’t Put in a Skip? Restricted Waste
Disposing of restricted or hazardous materials can result in fines or additional charges. There are very strict rules and regulations regarding what cannot be disposed of in a skip. Here’s a list of items strictly prohibited due to safety risks, environmental regulations, or specialist disposal needs:
1.🚫Hazardous Waste
Hazardous materials are extremely dangerous for both the environment and waste management workers. Make sure these materials are never placed in a skip:
- Paint (including cans of old paint)
- Solvents (e.g., paint thinners)
- Pesticides and herbicides
- Asbestos (requires specialist disposal) Discuss over a call
- Oils (engine oil, cooking oil, etc.)
- Chemicals (e.g., cleaning agents, bleach)
- Batteries (including household and car batteries)
These items must be disposed of via hazardous waste disposal centres.
2. 🚫Electrical and Electronic Waste (WEEE)
Electrical and electronic waste require separate recycling due to the valuable materials they contain and their environmental impact. include:
- Televisions and computer screens
- Fridges and freezers
- Washing machines, microwaves and dishwashers
- Mobile phones, tablets, laptops
- Other small electronics
- Air conditioning units
Take these electic items to designated recycling centres or arrange for a collection from a recycling service.
3. 🚫Medical Waste
Due to health and safety risks, certain medical items cannot be disposed of in a skip and must be treated with extra care. These include:
- Syringes and needles
- Pharmaceuticals (expired or unused medications)
- Contaminated medical items
These items are disposed of through certified medical waste disposal services.
4. 🚫Mattresses
Skip hire companies do not allow mattresses in a skip. Considered non-recyclable waste because of the materials involved, such as foam, springs, and fabric. Use specific recycling centres and mattress collection services for efficient disposal. With a small fee, some councils offer mattress collection services.
- Mattresses and divan beds (UK regulations prevent these from being disposed of in regular skips)
- Mattress springs and foam (must be taken to a recycling facility)
At Skip Hire Team, we allow placing mattresses in a skip, but require special disposal and need to pay additional charges of £40 to £70 + VAT per mattress and suggests you confirm with our team before hiring a skip because mattresses cannot be processed through regular landfill or recycling streams.
5. 🚫 Tyres
Tyres, including car, van, truck, or motorcycle tyres, cannot be disposed of in skips under UK waste regulations. This is due to several key reasons:
- They are extremely difficult to break down and do not decompose naturally.
- Tyres pose a high fire risk, making them a safety hazard in landfills and skip bins.
- They require specialist processing and recycling at authorised facilities.
🟢 What to Do Instead:
Take old tyres to a local tyre recycling centre, return them to a garage, or ask your tyre retailer if they offer a take-back service.
6. 🚫 Flammable or Explosive Materials
Highly combustible or explosive items are strictly banned from all skip types due to the extreme safety risks they pose during transport and processing. These include:
- Fireworks and ammunition
- Petrol, diesel, and other liquid fuels
- Lighters, matches, and gas fire starters
These materials can ignite or explode under pressure or heat, risking serious harm to people and property.
🟢 What to Do Instead:
Please contact a specialist hazardous waste disposal expert or your local council for safe disposal.
7. 🚫 Paint and Paint Cans
Old or unused paint, along with empty or partially full paint cans, must not be thrown into a skip. This includes:
- Solvent-based paints
- Emulsion paints
- Varnishes and wood treatments
Paint contains toxic chemicals and poses risks to our environment and workers who handle it.
🟢 Paint Disposal Tips:
- Take the remaining paint to a local (HWRC) Household Waste Recycling Centre that accepts paint waste.
- If it’s in usable condition, consider donating to reuse projects or community art centres.
8. 🚫 Gas Canisters and Propane Tanks
Never try to place gas cylinders and canisters in a skip, that’s very dangerous, whether they are full or empty. These include:
- Propane, butane, and LPG tanks
- Helium or CO2 canisters
- Camping stove gas canisters
They are pressurised and flammable, posing an explosion risk when compressed, punctured, or exposed to heat.
🟢 Dispose Safely:
Return empty canisters to the original supplier or use a certified gas bottle return scheme. Some gas companies run take-back programs.
9. 🚫 Grade D Wood / Treated Hazardous Wood
Some types of wood are treated with chemicals that make them hazardous to process and illegal to dispose of via standard skips, and require licensed hazardous waste handling. These are classified as Grade D or Hazardous Treated Wood and include:
- Railway sleepers
- Telegraph poles
- Agricultural fencing
- Cooling tower wood
🟢 What to Do Instead:
If you are planning to dispose of any wood waste, make sure that it’s totally non-hazardous. For special waste disposal need please contact our team before hiring a skip.
10.🚫Upholstered Furniture Containing POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants)
Furniture like sofas, armchairs, and other upholstered furniture falls under new regulations due to the presence of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) from JAN 2023. These chemicals are harmful to both people and the environment and require special disposal methods.
Examples of affected items:
- Sofas and sofa beds
- Upholstered office chairs
- Recliners and lounge chairs
Skip Hire Team helps dispose of these items, but you need to pay an additional fee depending on the type and quantity. Please inform our team before placing them in your skip so we can guide you better.
11. ⚠️ Artificial Grass, Carpets, and Rubber
Items like artificial turf, carpets, and rubber flooring may be accepted, but they need to be pre-approved and often require additional handling fees. These materials are not biodegradable and can clog processing systems at waste transfer stations.
If you plan to dispose of these, contact us beforehand—we’ll let you know your options and whether a surcharge will apply.
12. 🚫 Bulk Glass and Windows
Skips allow only small occasional mirrors or frames with general waste. But if you need to dispose large amount of glass such as big window panes, glass doors, or shower screens, it poses a safety risk, and don’t mix with general waste.
Glass must be handled separately, and prices are based on weight and transport. Before hiring a skip, please confirm your disposal needs to ensure you choose the right skip. Reach out to our team for a tailored quote.
13. 🚫 Large Amounts of Food Waste
Food waste is next that is not suitable for disposal in a standard skip. While small scraps might seem harmless, larger quantities can:
- Cause odours
- Attract vermin
- Contaminate recyclable waste
You can use the council’s food waste collection service or a dedicated composting solution.
14. 🚫 Fluorescent Tubes and Light Bulbs
Fluorescent tubes, including compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and long strip lights, contain mercury, a hazardous material that requires special handling. Because of this, you must not dispose of them in a skip—even in small quantities.
These light bulbs must be taken to a dedicated recycling centre or household waste facility equipped to handle hazardous electrical waste.
Why are they banned from skips?
- Mercury vapour inside can be toxic if broken
- They must be processed separately from general or mixed waste
- Mishandling may violate environmental safety regulations
Check with your local council or WEEE recycling point to find the nearest drop-off location.
15. 🚫 Aerosols and Pressurised Cans
Spray cans—whether for paint, deodorant, or air fresheners—are classed as hazardous due to their flammable contents and pressurised nature. Placing them in a skip risks explosion or chemical exposure, especially if punctured or crushed during transport.
These should be taken to a hazardous waste facility or returned to a household waste recycling centre that accepts aerosols.
🟨 Additional Notes:
- Asbestos Handling Specifics: While both mention asbestos, the detailed version specifies a quotation-based asbestos skip, which Medway Skip Hire Team could also offer but hasn’t highlighted.
- Fee Transparency: Mattress and upholstered furniture charges are more clearly itemised in the detailed version than in the Skip Hire Team version.
What to Do with Items You Can’t Skip
Here are some alternatives:
- Electronics: Use a local council recycling center or take-back scheme.
- Hazardous waste: Contact your local authority or hazardous waste disposal facility.
- Asbestos: Hire a licensed asbestos removal contractor.
- Mattresses or large electricals: Book a bulky waste collection with your local council or reuse charity.
Why These Restrictions Matter
Skip companies must comply with government and environmental agency regulations. When prohibited items are found, they risk heavy fines—or even loss of license. Improper disposal can also harm the environment, wildlife, and even human health.
Some materials, like asbestos or electronics, require controlled recycling or disposal processes that aren’t possible at standard waste transfer stations.
How to Avoid Fines When Hiring a Skip
To ensure that your skip hire goes smoothly, make sure that you:
- Check the list of accepted items with your skip hire provider before booking.
- Separate prohibited waste: Please separate hazardous or restricted items and confirm they’re disposed of properly.
- Don’t overfill your skip: Avoid overfilling the skips, as it may incur extra charges.
- Get a permit if placing your skip on public roads.
- Use a covered skip if rain or wind might cause issues with lighter waste.
For large-scale projects, consider our 20-40 yard roll-on-roll-off skip for painless management.
Choose Reliable Skip Hire Services Near You
It’s always super easy to dispose of waste via a skip—if you follow the rules.
To make your waste removal journey affordable and stress-free, please follow these rules and regulations for hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Make sure to choose the right items or what items are allowed to be placed in a skip to maintain safety, legal compliance, and minimise environmental impact.
If you still have any confusion about skip size, what items are allowed or not allowed, or any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for expert advice, or check out our Skip Hire Services for more details.
