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7 Things You Can Put in a Skip and 4 Things You Can't

Knowing what goes in a skip isn't just about avoiding fines; it's about efficiency. Here is the definitive guide to the "Yes" list, the "No" list, and the grey areas that trip everyone up.

Table of Contents

We’ve all been there. You’re knee-deep in a renovation or a massive garden clear-out, and you’re holding an old paint can or a broken microwave, asking yourself: "Can I toss this?"

The answer is critical. Getting it wrong can lead to your skip being rejected, extra fines, or dangerous chemicals leaking into the ground. At Kollect, we believe in making compliance simple.

📏 The Golden Rules of Skip Loading

Rule 1: The Level Load

For safety reasons, skips can only be filled to the top rim. You cannot use "greedy boards" (doors or wood used to artificially extend the height). If a skip is unsafe to transport, the driver is legally required to leave it behind.

Rule 2: Weight vs. Volume

This is where most people get caught out. A cubic yard of soil weighs about 1.2 tonnes. If you fill a large 12-yard skip with soil, it will weigh over 15 tonnes—far too heavy for the truck to lift. Heavy waste (rubble/soil) must go in 6-yard skips or smaller.

The "Traffic Light" Guide to Skip Waste

✅ 7 Things You CAN Put in a Skip (The Green List)

  • 1. General Household Junk Broken toys, curtain rails, old pots and pans, plastic furniture, and general bric-a-brac. If it’s non-electrical and non-liquid, it’s generally safe.
  • 2. Wood and Timber Doors, skirting boards, laminate flooring, and fencing.
    Pro Tip: Clean timber (pallets) is great. However, be careful with old railway sleepers (creosote).
  • 3. Garden Waste Grass cuttings, leaves, branches, and turf.
    Warning: Never put Japanese Knotweed in a skip.
  • 4. Metals Radiators, bed frames, copper piping, and scrap iron. Metal is highly recyclable.
    Note: A metal washing machine is NOT scrap metal; it is WEEE.
  • 5. Plastics and Cardboard Packaging waste, PVC window frames, and piping. Always flatten your cardboard!
  • 6. Heavy Construction Waste Bricks, concrete, rubble, and stones.
    Reminder: Only use Mini (2.5yd) or Midi (6yd) skips for this dense material.
  • 7. Bathroom Suites Ceramic toilets, sinks, and baths are perfectly fine.

⛔ 4 Things You CAN'T Put in a Skip (The Red List)

These items are banned for strict environmental and safety reasons.

⛔ Banned Items & Smart Alternatives

  • 1. Electrical Appliances (WEEE) Fridges, microwaves, and TVs contain heavy metals and hazardous gases.
    The Solution: Don't dump it. Book a Kollect Junk Removal collection. We recycle WEEE responsibly.
  • 2. Hazardous Liquids (Paint, Oil, Solvents) Liquid paint ruins the wood and cardboard in the skip, making them impossible to recycle.
    The Solution: Take old paint to your local Civic Amenity site.
  • 3. Asbestos Often found in old garage roofs. It is carcinogenic. Stop immediately if you see it.
    The Solution: You must hire a specialist asbestos removal company.
  • 4. Tyres Tyres do not decompose and can rupture landfill liners. Strictly banned.
    The Solution: Return them to a tyre retailer or a Repak ELT member.

⚠️ The "Grey Areas" – Proceed with Caution

Some items are technically allowed but come with complex rules or surcharges.

⚠️ Special Care Items

  • 🛏️ Mattresses Mattresses are mostly air and springs, clogging machinery. Most companies charge €20–€40 extra per mattress.
    The Smart Move: Save skip space. Book a dedicated mattress removal with us.
  • 🧱 Plasterboard (Gypsum) Produces toxic Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) gas when rotting in landfill.
    The Rule: Never mix loose plasterboard. Bag it separately and place on top (max 10% of load).
  • 🛋️ Upholstered Seating (POPs Regulations) Sofas and armchairs contain fire-retardant chemicals (POPs) that must be incinerated.
    The Solution: Use Kollect Junk Removal. We identify POPs items and dispose of them legally.

⚖️ Skip Hire vs. Junk Removal: Choosing the Right Service

Feature Skip Hire Junk Removal
Best For Rubble, Soil, Renovation Debris Furniture, Appliances, General Clutter
Labor You load it We load it
Sofa/Fridge? ❌ Difficult / Banned ✅ Yes, we take them
Permit? Required for road use Not required

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put soil in a general waste skip?

Yes, but strictly only in Mini (2.5yd) or Midi (6yd) skips. Soil is extremely dense (1.2 tonnes per cubic yard). Putting soil in a large 12-yard skip will make it too heavy to lift safely.

Do I need a permit for a skip?

If the skip is placed on a public road or roadside verge, yes. If it is on your private driveway, no permit is required. Kollect can arrange permits for you in most counties.

What about batteries?

Never put batteries in a skip, especially Lithium-Ion ones (from vapes or cordless tools). They can cause fires when crushed in the waste truck.

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About the Author — John O’Connor

John O’Connor has 20+ years’ experience in Ireland’s waste industry and is CEO of Kollect, Ireland’s largest online waste-booking platform.

Need to get rid of the "Red List" items?

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