What Can (and Can’t) Go in a Skip in the UK

Hiring a skip is one of the easiest ways to get rid of waste from home renovations, garden clearances, and construction projects. But before you start loading it up, it’s important to know what can and can’t go in a skip in the UK. Disposing of the wrong items can lead to fines, extra charges, or your skip being refused for collection — so understanding the rules can save you time, money, and hassle.

This guide explains exactly what’s allowed in a skip, what’s not, and the best way to deal with restricted waste.

What You Can Put in a Skip

Most general household, garden, and building waste is perfectly fine to go in a standard skip.

Household Waste

• Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables, wardrobes)
• Non-electrical household items
• Toys, clothing, textiles
• Packaging and cardboard
• General rubbish (bin bag waste)

Garden Waste

• Soil and turf (in smaller skips only, due to weight)
• Leaves, branches, hedge clippings
• Grass cuttings and weeds
• Tree stumps and logs

Construction & DIY Waste

• Wood and timber
• Bricks and rubble
• Concrete, tiles, and hardcore
• Plasterboard (small amounts in some areas)
• Old kitchen or bathroom units
• Broken paving slabs

Office & Commercial Waste

• Old carpets and flooring
• Shelving and fixtures
• Packaging and paper waste
• Construction and shop refit debris

At Clearify, we provide mixed waste skips that can handle a wide variety of these materials. If you’re ever unsure about a specific item, just ask — we’re happy to help.

What You Can’t Put in a Skip

Certain materials are restricted by law and cannot go in a general skip. These items either require special handling due to environmental regulations or pose health and safety risks.

Note: Some skip providers may accept small quantities of plasterboard if it’s bagged and separated — but this varies by location. Always check first.

How to Dispose of Prohibited Items

Just because something can’t go in a skip doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it. Here are better options for restricted items:

• Electricals: Recycle via local council collection points or take-back schemes
• Asbestos: Hire a licensed asbestos removal specialist
• Paint and chemicals: Use your council’s hazardous waste disposal service
• Gas bottles: Return to the supplier or take to a licensed disposal site
• Tyres: Many garages or tyre centres will recycle them for a small fee

At Clearify, we’re happy to advise on how to safely and legally dispose of restricted materials alongside your skip hire.

What About Mixed Waste?

In many cases, you can mix different types of waste (e.g. bricks, soil, timber, and general rubbish) — but you’ll need to choose a mixed waste skip.

Some waste types, such as soil and rubble, may need to go in a separate skip, especially for large volumes. This is because heavier waste affects the total weight limit of the skip and how it’s processed at the recycling centre.

Tip: If your project includes both light household items and heavy builders’ waste, consider hiring two smaller skips instead of one large mixed one.

Avoiding Extra Charges or Collection Refusal

Here’s how to stay on the right side of skip hire rules:

• Don’t hide restricted items under other waste – skips are often inspected before collection
• Don’t overload the skip – waste must stay below the top edge (the fill line)
• Separate restricted items – keep paint, plasterboard, or electricals out of your skip
• Speak to your provider – if in doubt, ask before loading

At Clearify, we aim to make the process easy, clear, and compliant.

Summary: What Can and Can’t Go in a Skip

Need a Skip and Not Sure What You Can Put In It?

At Clearify, we help customers across the UK hire skips that suit their project — and avoid common mistakes. From choosing the right size to advising on waste types, we make skip hire easy and compliant.

Get a free quote or speak to our team today to find the right skip for your waste — and peace of mind knowing it’ll be handled the right way.