Useful Tips for Efficiently Loading a Skip

Blog
26th Jun 2024

Whether you’re planning a home renovation, garden clearance or just decluttering, hiring a skip is a practical solution to consider. Skip hire services can be quick, easy and affordable, and they prevent you from having to dispose of a large amount of waste yourself. However, to make the most of having a skip, it’s key to make sure you’re choosing the right skip size and loading it correctly. Below we have put together some useful tips for anyone wanting to hire a skip for an upcoming project, helping you maximise efficiency and cost-effectiveness. 

Choosing the Right Skip Size

There’s a huge range of options to choose from when you’re hiring a skip. Not only can the size you choose impact how easy it is to dispose of your waste, but it will also influence the skip hire cost too. Typically skips are measured in cubic yards, ranging from mini skips for smaller clear-outs to heavy-duty skips for commercial construction projects. At Panda, we offer; 

  • Skip bags that hold up to 1.25 tonnes 
  • Mini skips that are 2.5 cubic yards
  • Midi skips that are 4 cubic yards
  • Standard skips that are 6 cubic yards
  • 14 cubic yards skips
  • 20 cubic yards RORO skips
  • 35 cubic yards RORO skips

The key to choosing the right size is to assess how much waste your project is likely to generate. Underestimating this can result in you needing another skip at short notice, increasing the skip hire costs, while overestimating means paying for unused skip space. Think about the type of waste you will have too. Often, skip bags are only for general and garden waste, whereas other builders’ waste can go into metal skips. 

Generally, skips will be delivered and collected within a four-day window, so make sure you’re choosing the right hire period too. However, you have more flexibility with skip bags. These can be purchased and collected at any time, so you can continue filling them throughout your project until they’re full and ready to be collected. 

Useful Tips for Loading a Skip

Efficiently loading the skip you hire can maximise space. Here are some tips to help ensure all of your waste fits into the skip; 

  • Break Down Items – Dismantle any large items, such as pieces of furniture, before throwing them into the skip. This will help you use the space more efficiently.
  • Distribute Weight Evenly – If possible, start with flat items at the bottom of the skip, such as sheets of wood. Next, add heavier and bulkier items, distributing the weight evenly will make the skip safer to transport.
  • Fill Gaps Strategically – Use smaller waste materials to fill in gaps left by larger items. This will help to prevent wasted space and another skip being required. 
  • Don’t Overfill – Check how high you can fill the skip. Sometimes, you can fill above the level load, depending on the type of waste you’re throwing away. Overfilled skills can be unsafe and you may be required to remove waste before the skip is collected. 

Safety Tips and Considerations

When loading a skip, safety should always be a priority. It’s crucial to wear protective clothing, like gloves and sturdy footwear, to prevent injuries from sharp objects and debris. Always be mindful of what you’re putting into the skip too. Typically, you can’t put hazardous materials or electrical items into a skip either. Double-check with the skip hire company to make sure you’re not filling it with things that can’t be safely disposed of.

What Can you Put in your Skip?

Items you CAN put in a skip Items you CAN’T put in a skip

✔ Mixed Recyclable Materials ✖ Paint & Paint Cans

✔ Household Waste ✖ Medical Waste

✔ Furniture & Carpet ✖ Gas Bottles

✔ Construction & Demolition Waste ✖ Tyres

✔ Mixed Metals ✖ Asbestos

✔ Mattresses (If they fit at level load) ✖ Electrical Appliances / Equipment

✔ Cardboard ✖ Batteries

✔ Magazines & Newspapers ✖ Solvents

✔ Timber ✖ Flammable, Hazardous, Toxic Materials

Arranging Skip Hire 

By selecting the right skip size and following these tips for loading, you can make sure your waste is handled correctly and there won’t be any issues when it comes to collection. Proper planning can help to keep skip hire costs down and ensure your project can continue as planned without any waste management problems. 

If you’re searching for a local company that offers skip hire, be sure to contact us at Panda. We can make the waste management process as smooth and straightforward as possible. Our ‘zero-disposal’ mission means we will recycle, repurpose and reuse your waste too, making your project more environmentally friendly. For more information about skip sizes, hire periods or costs, feel free to get in touch with our team today. 

Advice for loading a skip. Domestic Skip Hire