Waste Types Guide
Not sure what can go in your skip? Our comprehensive guide explains the four main waste categories and helps you choose the right skip for your project.
Garden Waste
Recommended: 3 yard, 4 yard, 6 yard
Green waste from gardens, landscaping projects, and outdoor maintenance. Garden waste is 100% recyclable and can be composted or processed into mulch.
Tips
- •Garden waste is lighter than other waste types, so you can often fill a skip fuller
- •Break down branches to maximize skip space
- •Keep garden waste separate from soil for easier recycling
- •Wet grass is heavy - let it dry if possible before loading
We Accept
- Grass cuttings and lawn trimmings
- Hedge trimmings and prunings
- Leaves and plant material
- Small branches (under 6 inches diameter)
- Weeds and plants
- Flowers and shrubs
- Tree bark and wood chips
- Christmas trees (seasonal)
Not Accepted
- Soil or turf (use soil & rubble skip)
- Large tree trunks or stumps
- Treated or painted wood
- Fence panels
- Garden furniture
- Plant pots (plastic)
Soil & Rubble
Recommended: 3 yard, 4 yard
Heavy inert waste including soil, earth, clay, bricks, concrete, and rubble from excavation or demolition work. This is our heaviest waste category.
Tips
- •Soil and rubble are very heavy - smaller skips are usually more practical
- •Most vehicles cannot safely transport more than 4 yards of heavy waste
- •Keep soil separate from rubble when possible for recycling
- •Don't overfill - level loads only for safety
We Accept
- Clean soil and earth
- Clay and subsoil
- Bricks and blocks
- Concrete and cement
- Rubble and hardcore
- Stone and gravel
- Tiles (ceramic and terracotta)
- Sand
Not Accepted
- Contaminated soil
- Soil with roots or vegetation (use garden waste)
- Asbestos-containing materials
- Plasterboard or drywall
- Mixed general waste
- Plastics or metals
Mixed General Waste
Recommended: 4 yard, 6 yard, 8 yard
The most common skip hire waste type. Mixed general waste includes household items, DIY materials, and renovation debris that doesn't fit into specialist categories.
Tips
- •Break down large items to maximize space
- •Flatten cardboard boxes before loading
- •Place heavy items at the bottom of the skip
- •We recycle over 90% of mixed general waste
We Accept
- Household furniture
- Carpets and underlay
- Wood and timber (untreated)
- Cardboard and paper
- Plastics (non-hazardous)
- Textiles and clothing
- Metal items (pots, pans, etc.)
- General renovation debris
Not Accepted
- Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals, oils)
- Electrical items (WEEE)
- Fridges, freezers, or air conditioning units
- Tyres
- Batteries
- Asbestos
Heavy Materials
Recommended: 3 yard, 4 yard
Dense construction materials that require special handling due to their weight. Includes concrete, bricks, tiles, and other heavy building materials.
Tips
- •Maximum 4-yard skip for heavy materials due to weight restrictions
- •Our trucks have a safe loading limit - overfilling may incur extra charges
- •Spread heavy items evenly across the skip base
- •Consider multiple smaller skips for large quantities
We Accept
- Concrete slabs and blocks
- Bricks and engineering bricks
- Ceramic tiles and porcelain
- Paving slabs
- Stone and slate
- Cast iron (radiators, baths)
- Dense hardcore
- Roof tiles (concrete and clay)
Not Accepted
- Mixed general waste
- Wood or timber
- Plastics
- Plasterboard
- Insulation materials
- Asbestos-containing materials
Waste Type Comparison
| Waste Type | Best For | Max Skip Size | Key Items | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
🌿Garden | Grass cuttings and lawn trimmings | 6 yard | Grass cuttings and lawn trimmings, Hedge trimmings and prunings, Leaves and plant material | View |
🪨Soil/Rubble | Clean soil and earth | 4 yard | Clean soil and earth, Clay and subsoil, Bricks and blocks | View |
🗑️Mixed/General | Household furniture | 8 yard | Household furniture, Carpets and underlay, Wood and timber (untreated) | View |
⚖️Heavy | Concrete slabs and blocks | 4 yard | Concrete slabs and blocks, Bricks and engineering bricks, Ceramic tiles and porcelain | View |
Items We Cannot Accept
For safety and legal reasons, the following items cannot be placed in any skip. These require specialist disposal:
Unsure about an item? Call us on 01952 930930 for advice.
Not Sure About Your Waste Type?
If you have mixed waste or aren't sure which category your items fall into, give us a call. We're happy to advise on the best skip for your project.