You don’t want to embark on any large-scale project without hiring a skip. However, as convenient as it is to have a skip in which to dispose of the waste from your project, you also need to consider what can and can’t be thrown in. Waste collected in a skip is disposed of differently, depending on the type of material, so just like your household waste, you have to be mindful not to throw out the wrong thing. This is particularly important when working in the garden as there are a great deal of materials that can be disposed of in a skip, but certain items which need to be avoided. Here are the do’s and don’ts when disposing of your garden waste in a skip.


Garden waste which can be disposed of in a skip

The vast majority of the waste generated from a garden project can be disposed of in a skip, including some surprising items. Most of the items included in a skip are sorted and then recycled. Soil is refined and then recycled as top soil, while green waste is mulched, composted and recycled as agricultural fertiliser.

Grass clippings and wood are also recycled as bio-fuel. This all means that using a skip for your garden waste is more environmentally friendly than disposing of it in your household waste bin and ending up in a landfill.

Materials which can be disposed of in a skip include:

  • Green waste, including plants, trees and glass clippings
  • Wood and timber
  • Soil
  • Concrete, gravel and hardcore
  • Metal


Garden waste which cannot be disposed of in a skip

The main thing to avoid when disposing of your garden waste is liquids of any kind. This includes paints, solvents and any pressurised containers. As well as being unable to recycle these items, their inclusion in the skip can also contaminate the other contents of the skip, rendering them unable to be recycled. Fluids which need to be disposed of should be done so with care.


If you are still unsure about what to dispose of in your skip, our team are happy to help advise when you book your skip. Take a look at our skip hire page to find out more.