Complete Guide to What You Can and Can’t Put in a Skip Bin
Skip bin hire is an easy way to tackle clean-ups, renovations, moving house, and landscaping. But you can’t throw everything into a skip bin. Knowing what is accepted and prohibited not only aids in avoiding additional fees, pick-up delays, and environmental issues.
When arranging skip bins in Lake Macquarie, it is crucial to know the disposal rules before filling the bin that will help to expedite the process.
Items Typically Allowed in a Skip Bin
Providers will typically take anything from basic general rubbish all the way through to construction/demolition materials (but this might vary between providers).
Common approved items include:
- Household furniture
- Timber
- Cardboard and paper
- Garden waste
- Bricks and concrete
- Metal items
- Plastics
- General household rubbish
In any case, never fill the bin over the tare mark (the fill line) because filled bins that exceed the tare weight cannot be transported.
Items That are Usually Prohibited
Other materials, because of environmental or safety considerations, require special handling.
These commonly excluded items include:
- Asbestos
- Tyres
- Mattresses (certain suppliers accept them for a supply price)
- Paints and solvents
- Gas bottles
- Chemicals
- Batteries
- Medical waste
If you have doubts regarding a specific item, contact your skip bin service provider prior to disposal.
Disposal of Asbestos: One that Won’t Kill You
In Australia there are strict regulations governing asbestos as it can be harmful to health if fibres become damaged.
Asbestos is a hazardous material and should never be placed into a regular skip bin unless the supplier specifically provides licensed asbestos disposal. Asbestos must typically only be handled by trained removal professionals and transported to certified waste sites.
What Does Regulation Say for Tyres and Mattresses?
Some other items, like tyres and mattresses, are often left out of the kerbside collections because these need specialist treatment for recycling or disposal.
There are separate collection programs at many councils and recycling centres for these items. Other waste companies charge separately for collecting them.
When you want to make a disposal of such items, before booking skip bin hire in Port Stephens ask them if they can collect it separately.
E-Waste Requires Special Recycling
Electronic waste contains recycling and many other precious raw materials.
Items such as:
- Computers
- Televisions
- Mobile phones
- Printers
- Cables
- Computer monitors
And instead be reused by approved e-waste recyclers, not thrown into a general skip.
Separate Waste Where Possible
Sorting waste before bin loading allows for easier recycling and can potentially lower disposal costs.
Try to separate:
- Green waste
- Building materials
- Metals
- Recyclable cardboard
- General rubbish
That helps keep more materials out of the landfill.
Ask Questions Before Delivery
Each waste company has its own acceptance policy according to the local laws and recycling facilities in your area.
Certainly, when making skip bin hire in Port Stephens it is important that you check exactly what may or may be not allowed. This prevents unwelcome surprises later on if prohibited items are found as you collect the collection.
Likewise, agencies providing skip bin hire in Port Stephens service can help with any local restrictions and suggest where items that can’t enter the skip.
Final Thoughts
While skip bins are a great way to dispose larger quantities of waste, it is important that you know what can and cannot be put in a skip bin. Some materials, such as asbestos, tires and mattresses or chemicals and e-waste have to be treated specifically for disposal so they do not harm people or the environment. By checking the restrictions before loading your bin and using approved recycling or disposal services as needed, you can do so while having peace of mind that your waste is dealt with properly − allowing you to take on certain projects with ease.