UK households alone generate 27.7 million tonnes of waste every year and when you factor in businesses and the construction industry too, levels soar even higher. Managing your waste responsibly is essential and using a skip hire service can help ensure you properly deal with larger amounts of waste, but understanding how you maximise skip space will help make sure you fit in everything you need and get the most from the service.

Whether you’re undertaking a home renovation, clearing out the garden, or managing waste from a commercial project, hiring a skip is often the most convenient solution. Properly using a skip makes it more efficient and minimises the cost needed as you won’t need to hire additional skips or dispose of waste in alternative ways yourself.  Let’s look at how to fill a skip efficiently and get the most from your skip hire.

How Do You Fit More in a Skip?

Jenga and Tetris fans may be right at home with filling up every last bit of space in a skip but the rest of us may find it more difficult. What’s more, whether you’re hired a 3 yard skip for the first time, or a much larger commercial-sized skip, you won’t get your money’s worth if you don’t make the most of the space available. We recommend these steps for making the most of your skip space:

  • Plan and Organise

Before you start loading your skip, take some time to plan and organise the waste. Separate items by size and type, setting aside bulky items that can be broken down. This initial step can significantly impact how much you can fit into the skip.

  • Break Down Bulky Items

Large items like furniture, branches, or wooden pallets take up substantial space. Disassemble or break down these items into smaller pieces to maximise space efficiency. For instance, removing legs from tables and chairs or cutting up branches can help with stacking waste in a more compact and space-saving way.

  • Use a Strategic Loading Order

We recommend starting by placing the largest and heaviest items at the bottom of the skip. This creates a stable base and means you have no small, awkward items taking up unnecessary space at the bottom. Follow up by layering flatter items like wood or metal sheets to create a level surface. Fill gaps with smaller items and loose debris, utilising every last bit of space available.

  • Flatten and Compress Waste

Where possible, flatten items such as cardboard boxes and plastic containers. Use a heavier object to compress waste periodically as you load the skip. This technique can free up space for additional waste and make the skip load less bulky.

  • Don’t Forget Void Spaces

Void spaces within the skip, such as gaps between large items, should be filled with smaller waste materials. Soft furnishings, textiles and smaller items can be used to fill these gaps.

  • Avoid Overfilling

While it might be tempting to overfill your skip, skip hire companies have regulations regarding the maximum fill level. Overfilled skips can be hazardous during transportation, and you may find your skip cannot be collected until some of the waste is removed. You may even find you face an additional charge to handle the additional waste. Pay attention to the skip fill line to avoid this problem.

Does Skip Size Matter?

Selecting the right skip size will help ensure you don’t have additional waste to deal with and you’ve got the most budget-friendly solution. Skips come in various sizes, from mini skips to large roll-on-roll-off skips. Choosing a skip that matches the volume of waste you anticipate will help ensure the job is done in one go and you don’t have to find alternative ways to dispose of your rubbish.

Assessing Your Waste Volume

Estimate the volume of waste you need to dispose of before hiring a skip. Consider factors such as the type of project, the materials involved and the frequency of waste generation. A smaller skip may be all you need for garden clean-ups or household clear-outs, while larger projects like home renovations or construction sites usually require bigger skips.

Opting for a slightly larger skip than you initially estimated can be beneficial. It provides extra space for unexpected waste and reduces the risk of overfilling.

Environmental Considerations

Choosing the right skip size also has environmental benefits. A properly sized skip reduces the number of trips needed for waste disposal, minimising carbon emissions from transportation.

Pack your Skip like a Pro

With planning, organisation and preparation you can get the most from your skip hire and ensure every last bit of waste is packed and disposed of. Our range of skip sizes ensures we can provide the right size for any job and we offer skip hire in Manchester and the surrounding areas, to keep on top of your waste and make disposal projects as straightforward as possible.