Skip hire can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be.
One of the biggest confusions with skip hire is what you can and cannot put in the skip. Many people, by no fault of their own, try to dispose of waste that cannot be put in a skip for waste management only then to be stuck with the waste not knowing what to do next.
This article aims to explain what cannot be put into a skip and what to do with these items.
Why are these rules in place?
Having these rules and regulations in place minimises our carbon footprint on the planet as well as protecting human life. Materials can be deadly, so its important that we regulate what goes into our skips and enforce those rules for everyone's safety. Workers who empty the skips take a lot of risk when undergoing the emptying process and there's no way to tell what's been put in there therefore there could be a massive safety breach.
What can't you put in a skip?
Asbestos
Asbestos is strictly prohibited from going in skips. Not only is it harmful and hazardous to people and huge cancer risk, but it has been prohibited by the UK government to dispose of it yourself because of the risk.
Electrical Equipment
Electrical equipment such as freezers, fridges and televisions should be taken to recycling plants rather than being tossed into a skip. This is not only better for the environment but also better for your pocket as it puts resources back into the economy.
Animal Waste
Animal waste is classed as hazardous materials. This sort of materials cannot be put into a skip as it puts workers at risk.
Gas Cylinders
Gas cylinders whether empty or full still propose a threat to workers and the environment. For this reason they cannot be put into skips, instead take them to a recycling plant near you and they will dispose of them for you.
Batteries
Batteries contain harmful chemicals and metals which may be extremely dangerous if crushed or snapped. Most batteries in laptops or phones use lithium ion batteries, which can catch fire if interfered with.
Fuel, solvents and paint
Fuels, solvents and paints contain harmful compounds that specific companies are licensed to take care of such waste. For example, florescent bulbs contain mercury which is toxic if inhaled.
Medical Waste
Medical waste such as needles and bandages cannot be put in skips due to biological contamination. They have the potential to cause serious infections to workers and therefore shouldn't be thrown into a skip in case of serious injury.
Plasterboard
The government prohibits the disposal of plasterboard in skips, therefore you should refrain from disposing of plasterboards without a licensed disposal company. These disposal company's have specialised tools to dispose of plasterboards, which is better for the environment.
Mattresses
Mattresses contain materials which contribute to landfill problems later on down the line for the environment. It should be separated from other waste and donated or you can pay a company to take the mattress off your hands and recycle the materials.
Glass
You cannot put glass in a skip. Glass is fragile and can shatter into a million tiny pieces which can cause great harm to anyone emptying the skip. You need to take incredible amounts of caution when disposing glass. Best course of action is to carefully wrap the glass before disposal.
To dispose of the glass, its best to contact a glass recycling company to take it off you as they can be recycled into double glazed glass, therefore being better for the environment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, people need to be careful what they put in their skips, because of government regulations and environmental hazards there's more of a reason now than ever before to make sure what you're putting in a skip is up to code.