Skip hire FAQs

Mixed waste skips can be used for most general rubbish like paper and packaging, organic waste, DIY waste and ground waste such as sand and subsoil. Any toxic or hazardous waste, electrical items, car tyres, glass or plasterboard is not allowed in a skip and requires alternative disposal methods.

The size and type of skip that you need depends on the volume, weight and waste types that need to be disposed of. Each skip size has a weight limit in tonnes, however skips must be level when they are full, so for bulky waste you may need a larger skip to accommodate the volume.

Go to our skip hire calculator to view the full range of skip sizes and when to use them.

You can place a skip on private property such as a front garden or driveway without applying for a license or parking permit. To park a skip on a public highway, road, or pavement you will need a skip license.

Depending on the size and type of skip, as well as the length of time you plan on keeping it to store waste, there may be additional requirements such as:

• reflective markings
• lockable lids
• traffic cones
• night-time safety lamps

We will advise you if any additional health and safety requirements apply, and work with you to find a solution that is both cost effective and hazard free.

Skip licenses are required if the skip is being placed on a public highway, road, or pavement. A parking permit may also be required for skips that need to be placed in what would usually be a parking space, such as by the roadside on a residential street or in a designated parking bay.

Skip license applications need to be made to the local council in advance and granted before the skip arrives, usually taking about 3-4 working days to come through. Licenses normally last for 14 days, depending on the local authority.

In most cases we can make the license application for our customers, arrange permits and any other skip hire requirements.

Licenses normally last for between 7 and 14 days, depending on your local council, and you will need to reapply for a license before the first one has expired if you ned to keep the skip for longer. In most cases we can apply for the skip license on your behalf and include it in the overall cost of the service. We can also advise you on the daily rates for parking permits if you need to suspend a parking space for the skip, and apply to your local authority to obtain the permit.

Skips placed by the roadside on a residential street or in a designated parking bay usually need a parking permit in addition to the skip license. Parking permits for CPZ’s (controlled parking zones) and parking bay suspension certificates are normally charged at a daily rate by local councils.

You don’t need a permit if you are placing the skip on private property such as a front garden or driveway, and you can keep the skip for as long as you need to, providing it doesn’t cause any environmental or health hazards while it is being used to store waste.

We are committed to helping you to find the most convenient and cost-effective waste management solution for your needs and if it turns out that the waste materials are unsuitable for a skip, we offer environmentally friendly hazardous waste disposal.

Our service covers all materials and substances which are classed as hazardous waste, from potentially dangerous substances like asbestos, to commonly found items such as paint, solvents and fluorescent tubes which are not permitted in skips. Other items that are prohibited from being placed in skips include gas cylinders, batteries, oil and fuel, medical waste, plasterboard and electrical appliances.

We have teams of experienced professionals who will assess your hazardous waste, safely collect it, and transfer the waste to an Approved Authorised Treatment Facility (AATF), where it will be processed correctly, minimising environmental impact and standards set out by the Environment Agency under U.K. law.

Find out more about our hazardous waste disposal service contact us to find out more.