What You Can and Can’t Put in Your Skip Bin
At Jim’s Skip Bins, we take sustainable waste management seriously. This means disposing of waste responsibly to help preserve the Australian environment, but we rely on your cooperation to do this! We play our part by rigorously following regulations and guidelines when sorting and recycling skip bin waste, and making sure everything gets sent to the appropriate facility. This can be tedious for us, but your part is straightforward; make sure that only approved waste goes into your skip bin.
To get a better understanding of what can go in a skip bin and what can’t, we’ve created this handy guide.
What Can Go in a Skip Bin
Skip bin hire is the perfect solution for various home projects. When you’re discussing your needs with our team, let them know what type of waste will be going in the skip bin. If it’s a combination of waste types, that’s ok too! Just bear in mind that sorting costs will be added to the quote.
The main waste types are:
- Green waste
- E-waste
- Household waste
- Construction waste
- Commercial waste
- Soil, dirt, & glass waste
Below are some examples of common items that can and can’t go in your skip bin:
| Waste Type | What You Can Put In | What You Can’t Put In |
|---|---|---|
| General Waste | Most general household waste. Boxes, wood, cabinets, white goods, clothes, toys, carpet etc. | Bricks, concrete, soil |
| Builders/Reno bins | Waste from household clean ups & renovations including bricks, concrete & general waste. | |
| Dirt | Only dirt, soil & sand can go in | Anything aside from dirt |
| Concrete | Only bricks and concrete are allowed. | Anything aside from bricks and concrete, “disposal facilities are very strict” |
| Green Waste | Organic waste such as grass clippings, branches, woodchips and bark, wood, fence palings | Any other waste type. |
What Can’t Go in a Skip Bin?
Although many types of household and commercial waste can go in skip bins, there are few things that can’t. It’s important to know what to avoid putting in your skip bin, as the wrong items could contaminate the whole bin, making sorting dangerous for our team and the environment.
Putrescible waste
Waste that’s likely to decay, or putrescible waste, should not be disposed of in your Jim’s Skip Bin. This includes waste from food, animals, manure, disposable nappies, etc. An easy way to avoid including putting putrescible waste is to think about the item sitting in the bin over a long period of time. Will it rot, begin to smell, or lure pests in? If you think it might, then don’t place it in your skip bin.
Putrescible household waste can go in your green household bin instead. If you’ve got organic matter, like old fruit and vegetables or animal waste, you can dispose of it in a home or local compost. In the case of an animal carcass, you can either bury it in your backyard, or contact your local vet or council to arrange correct disposal.
Asbestos
Often found in older buildings, asbestos can be highly toxic if mishandled. Due to its hazardous nature, asbestos cannot go in your skip bin. Instead, contact Jim’s Asbestos Removal for a safe and easy removal.
Chemicals, Wet Paint, and Oil
Examples of harmful chemicals you should avoid placing in your bin include rat poison, detergents, and fuels. We also don’t accept oil or wet paint, however dry paint is fine to dispose of in your skip bin.
You can safely dispose of your chemical, paint and oil waste with Planet Ark. Alternatively, you can enter your postcode to find a recycling and chemical waste disposal site near you.
Medical Waste
In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in commercial and household medical waste. Whether it’s used gloves, needles, or any other medical materials, do not dispose of it in your skip bin. Incorrect disposal could lead to the spread of infectious diseases, injury via sharps, and toxic chemicals contaminating the environment.
To avoid this, dispose of your medical waste with a licensed healthcare waste management service. You can also dispose of unwanted or expired medications via Planet Ark.
Flammable Materials
Placing any flammable materials, including explosives and batteries, in your skip bin is dangerous and could risk the lives of your family, neighbours, and our team. To avoid starting any fires, check with your local council on how to correctly dispose of your hazardous materials or dispose of flammable materials via Planet Ark.
Gas Bottles and Fire Extinguishers
Gas bottles and fire extinguishers can explode in heat or pressure when the bin is tipped, so these should be dropped off at approved centres where they can be processed safely. Some swap and go petrol stations accept gas bottles in working condition, and several tips also accept both gas bottles and fire extinguishers.
Putting this in your skip? Notify us!
There are a few types of waste which are more difficult and costly to dispose of, so it’s best to let us know during your quotation as they incur an extra charge. This includes general waste such as mattresses, tyres, carpet (large quantities) and artificial grass. Some green waste, such as large tree stumps, bamboo, and Agapanthus plants can also add to the cost, so let us know in advance to ensure an accurate quote!
Get in Touch
If you are unsure about whether you can dispose of an item in one of our skip bins, then get in touch with us today. Our friendly team can advise you according to specific State and council guidelines, and can provide you with a free, no-obligation quote!
