Guide
What can and can't go in a skip
Most household and building waste is fine. Here's what isn't allowed, and where to take it instead.
What can go in a skip
- General household waste and clear-out rubbish
- Garden waste: branches, hedge cuttings, soil and turf
- Building waste: bricks, rubble, tiles and concrete (in a suitable size, see heavy waste)
- Wood, furniture and carpets
- Metal, plastic and cardboard
We sort everything at our own recycling facilities and keep over 95% of it out of landfill.
What can't go in our skips
- Fridges and freezers
- Tyres
- Large tree roots (over 0.5m across)
- Gas bottles
- Batteries
- Electrical items
- Hazardous waste such as asbestos
- Paint tins that aren't empty
- Tarmac
Plasterboard
Plasterboard has to be kept apart from other waste, because it gives off harmful gas if it breaks down with food and garden waste in landfill. Keep it separate, or ask us for a plasterboard-only skip.
Where to take the things we can't
- Fridges, freezers and electrical items: your council's household waste recycling centre, or the shop you buy a replacement from (many will take the old one away).
- Tyres: a tyre fitter will usually take old tyres for a small fee.
- Gas bottles: return them to the supplier or the shop you bought them from.
- Batteries: collection points in supermarkets and at household waste recycling centres.
- Paint: empty, dry tins can go in the skip. Leftover liquid paint can go to a household waste recycling centre or a paint reuse scheme.
- Asbestos: never put it in a skip. It needs a licensed specialist; some council recycling centres take small, wrapped amounts from households by appointment.
Not sure about something? Ask us before it goes in: items we can't take may have to be removed before collection, or charged for.