How to fill a skip…

Although you may not believe it, there are methods for filling a skip that will enable you to fit more in, giving you even better value for money. We’ve put together a step-by-step guide to how to best load your skip to maximise space!

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO FILLING YOUR SKIP

1. WHAT WILL GO IN?

What waste do you have to dispose of? What type of waste is it? How big are the individual items? You may be having a clear out of your loft or garage, or taking on a home or garden DIY project. Once you know more about the waste you’ll be disposing of it will be easier to select the right skip size and get it booked.

2. RESEARCH WHAT’S AVAILABLE

TJ Waste has a range of skips to offer, from mini skips, right up to 35-yard containers and everything in between. Check out our individual skip pages to discover the dimensions of each of our skips and what their capacities are. This will help you decide which skip you’ll need to go for.

3. ORDER ONLINE

Once you’ve decided which skip is suitable, get an online quote and book yours today! You can choose the delivery date, which can be as soon as the next working day should you need it quickly. You can keep the skip for up to two weeks, or if you opt to return it within 4 days at the time of booking, you’ll receive a 5% discount. But there’s no pressure – you don’t have to book your collection date when you order, you can play it by ear and let us know at a later date if you’d prefer.

4. POSITION YOUR SKIP WELL

Have a think about where your skip would be best placed. It needs to be positioned in a spot that you can access easily and with enough room around it for hoisting things in. You should also ensure that it’s not blocking anything else – including your cars! If you’re having it positioned on your driveway, make sure you leave enough space to get your cars in and out as well! If it needs to go on the road, let us know beforehand and we can arrange a permit for you.

5. FLAT THINGS FIRST!

Always place flatter or heavier items at the bottom of the skip. Flat items such as doors, radiators, fence panels and old flooring are best placed at the bottom, as are heavy things like bricks, concrete and breeze blocks. If you have any glass to put in, lean them up against the side to try to keep them in one piece, and don’t throw items in thereafter!

6. AVOID GAPS

If you have a lot of stuff to fit in, try to place everything carefully in the skip, keeping it as compacted as possible. Try to avoid air gaps as this is wasted space!

7. USE A WHEELBARROW

Make the job easier on yourself by using a wheelbarrow to move your waste from where it is to the skip – it will save a lot of energy, rather than lugging everything by hand!

8. PRIORITISE

If you do find that you have more waste than you can fit into your skip, prioritise what you really do not want left hanging around. Get rid of the most unsightly stuff first! You can always book another skip in a few weeks’ time, especially if you have further clear outs or projects planned.

9. GARDEN WASTE

Remember, garden waste like branches, leaves, and grass clippings can also go in your skip. It’s one type of waste that often gets forgotten about, but freeing your garden of this waste will give you a nicer outlook and save you time on tip runs!

10. LEAVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME

You’ll be able to keep the skip for up to 14 days, but make sure that you’ve finished filling it by the time the 14 days is up – or by the arranged collection date if this is earlier. There’s nothing worse than running out of time and not finishing the job! Your skip could be collected anytime between 6am and 6pm on the 14th day, so be prepared for that.

TOP TIPS FOR SMOOTH SKIP LOADING

• Make sure you lift heavy items properly; bend your knees and keep your back straight. Seek assistance with heavy or awkward items.
• Wear appropriate PPE as required such as protective gloves, safety goggles and closed shoes.
• Ensure there’s enough space around the skip for safe access and that this area is kept clear of obstacles and debris to prevent trips and falls.
• Distribute weight evenly when loading the skip – avoid piling all heavy items on one side, which can make the skip unstable and difficult to lift safely at the end of your hire.
• Never overfill the skip beyond its sides. Overfilled skips can pose a danger during transportation, as items may fall out and create hazards.

WHAT SKIPS DO TJ OFFER?

If you’re looking for skip hire near you, TJ can help!

TJ offers everything from mini skip hire and small skip hire, up to larger skips and containers. You’ll need to estimate how much waste you have to dispose of or how much you will generate if you’re planning a project and go for the skip to match. The guidance below may help, but also check out the individual skip pages for a better idea and exact dimensions.

2 yard ‘mini’ skip: this is ideal for small domestic and garden jobs and will hold 20-30 bin bags’ worth of waste.

4 yard ‘midi’ skip: perfect for projects such as kitchen or bathroom refits or garden clearance, this skip can hold 30-40 bin bags.

6 yard ‘maxi’ skip: it can hold between 50 and 60 bin bags of waste, making it ideal for medium-sized projects such as house renovations and clearance of gardens, garages and lofts.

8 yard ‘mega’ skip: this skip can hold 60-80 bin bags’ worth of waste. It is often used for bulky and heavy waste such as rubble, soil or concrete and is perfect for major renovation work or full house clearance.

12 yard ‘jumbo’ skip: ideal for larger jobs such as full office or house clearances as well as a range of commercial projects, this skip can hold the equivalent of around 120 bin bags.

WHAT CAN GO IN A SKIP?

• Wood
• Cement
• Rubble
• Tiles
• Bricks
• Electrical cabling
• Metal
• Glass
• Kitchen and bathroom fixtures and fittings
• Flooring
• Old toys and furniture
• Garden waste

WHAT CAN’T GO IN A SKIP?

• Liquid waste of any kind
• Batteries
• Fridges
• Freezers
• Televisions or computer screens
• Fluorescent tubes
• Clinical waste

RECYCLE, RECYCLE, RECYCLE!

You can rest assured that your skip will be emptied and sorted at our Materials Recovery Facility to ensure that all recyclable items and reusable materials are removed and directed around the most appropriate routes for their type. We are dedicated to diverting as much waste as possible from landfill and endeavour to recycle up to 100% of the waste that we handle.

Find out more about our skip hire service today! Or if you have any queries about the TJ skip you’ve booked, please email orders@tj-waste.co.uk or call us on 08000 463 964.