The waste levy (previously ‘landfill levy’) is set to increase in Victoria from 1 July 2021. Originally planned for 2020, this levy hike was delayed for 12 months as part of the Victorian government’s Covid-19 response Business Resilience Package.

To understand the background behind the new landfill levy rates and what the Victorian government is aiming to achieve, we need to take a look at the status quo for waste disposal in Victoria.

The success of landfill levy schemes in South Australia and in the European Union have no doubt contributed to this change in policy in Victoria.

Here are the key statistics you need to know to understand Victoria’s new waste levy.

Waste Levies in Victoria: Then and Now

When was Victoria’s waste levy introduced?

Landfill levies were first introduced to Victoria in 2011-2012, at the following rates:

  • $22/tonne for rural municipal waste
  • $38.50/tonne for rural industrial waste
  • $44/tonne for metro municipal & industrial waste

Rates were indexed over the next decade, with less than 10% increase per year.
All this changed in 2019, when new changes to landfill levy rates were announced.

The Recycling Victoria report & Victoria’s levy increase

In 2019, the Victorian government released its Recycling Victoria report, outlining key changes to help achieve state-wide recycling and resource recovery targets.
Rates were originally set to increase from 1 July 2020, but the fee increase was delayed as part of the Victorian government’s Covid-19 response package.

Landfill levies in Victoria over time (per tonne)

Year2019-20202020-20212021-20222022-2023
Metropolitan Municipal & Industrial Rate$65.90$65.90$105.90$125.90
Rural Municipal Rate$33.03$33.03$52.95$62.95
Rural Industrial Rate$57.76$57.76$93.19$110.79

Waste Levies Around Australia: How Does Victoria Compare?

Full infographic at https://jimsskipbins.com.au/victoria-waste-levy-infographic/

Prior to 1 July 2021, Victoria’s waste levy has been one of the lowest in Australia.

This disparity has encouraged the transport of interstate waste from other states to be landfilled in Victoria.

Only Tasmania’s waste levy is lower, at $20/tonne, while ACT still has no formal waste levy.

Waste levies in Australian states ($/tonne)

StateMetro Waste Levy (per tonne)Regional Waste Levy (per tonne)
Queensland$80$80
New South Wales$147.10$84.70
Australian Capital Teritory
Tasmania$20$20
South Australia$143$143
Western Australia $70$70
Victoria$105.90$52.95 to $93.19

How do people in the waste management sector feel about landfill levies? Almost 80% of people surveyed in the C&D waste industry agree waste levies are effective.

Aiming for Waste Levy Parity in Australia

Victoria’s new waste levy of $105.90 (metropolitan) and $52.95 to $93.19 (municipal/industrial regional) raises the rate closer to NSW’s $147.10 metro / $84.70 regional levy.

While Victoria’s waste levy is still lower, the interstate transport of waste also incurs bulk transport fees, bringing total costs on par with landfilling in New South Wales and removing the financial incentive.

Let’s take a look at some statistics on waste management in Victoria today.

Waste Management & Recycling Statistics in Victoria

How much waste is produced in Victoria?

Victorians produced a total of 13.4 million tonnes of waste in the 2017-18 year.
Out of this total:

  • 8.7 million tonnes were recovered
  • 4.4 million tonnes went to landfill
  • and about 200,000 tonnes were dumped.
    This third category includes litter as well as illegal dumping and stockpiling of waste.
    Resource recovery includes recycling and waste-to-energy recovery.

What percentage of waste is recycled in Victoria?

The resource recovery rate in Victoria – including recycling – is currently 65% (based on 2017-2018 figures).

The Victorian government aims to reach a resource recovery rate of 80%.

This means redirecting at least an additional 2.01 million tonnes from landfill each year.

Future predictions of waste & recycling in Victoria

By 2046, Victoria is predicted to generate 20 million tonnes of waste yearly.

This is an increase of more than 40% compared to today.

Accomplishing an 80% recovery rate would keep 16 million tonnes of waste out of landfill in 2046 alone.

So what are the motivations for raising the landfill levy?

The Purpose of Waste Levies: A Summary

Landfill levies (also known as landfill taxes or waste taxes) aim to:

1.       Make resource recovery and recycling more financially appealing than landfill

Without intervention, landfill is often the cheaper option for waste disposal. By increasing the cost of sending waste to landfill, these waste levies aim to make recycling and resource recovery more financially competitive.

While landfill levies do affect householders, these regulations primarily target industrial and commercial waste generators, who are incentivised to find alternative solutions for their waste.

2.       Address the externalities of landfilling (ie. the hidden costs to society)

Without waste levies or taxes, landfill gate fees are charged based on the direct costs of landfilling.

This may cover the running costs of tip sites, but it doesn’t reflect the wider impact that waste in landfill has on locals and the planet.

These externalities include:

–      The impact of noise, odours and dust on local residents and businesses

–      Greenhouse gas emissions emanating from decomposing waste in landfill  

–      Leaching of chemicals and air pollution from landfill sites

–      The opportunity cost of not recycling resources sent to landfill

–      The opportunity cost of land use on current landfill sites

3.       Raise money to support environmental programs

For many Australian states, their explicit aim in implementing a waste levy is to raise revenue for their environmental and waste management programs.

Depending on individual state policies and decisions, this can include direct waste management causes such as:

–          Investing in waste management infrastructure and technology

–          Grants for the recycling and resource recovery sectors

Many states and countries also provide grants to general environmental programs and climate change action.

Landfill levy funds can also be directed towards mitigating the negative effects of levy hikes, including tackling illegal dumping and stockpiling.

4.       Remove the financial incentive to transport waste across borders to lower levy states  

Raising waste levy rates in line with neighbouring states is an effective way to address a ‘downslope’ flow of waste across state borders. Without these interventions, waste is frequently transported long distances to dispose of at a lower cost, consuming fuel and generating more emissions.

Do Waste Levies Work? The Case for the Landfill Levy in Victoria

Here are some key statistics surrounding the results of waste levies.

The Impact of Waste Levies in Australia: Key Statistic

Waste levies have been identified as a major driver of Australia’s growing recycling rate.

In 2019, the Australian government released these statistics on recycling in Australia:

Year19962019
Carbon emissions16MT of C02-e emissions10MT of C02-e emissions
Recycling rate6%58%
Jobs in the waste & recycling sector30,00056,000

How do people in the waste management sector feel about landfill levies? Almost 80% of people surveyed in the C&D waste industry agree waste levies are effective.

Statistics from South Australia’s Landfill Levy Studies

South Australia increased their waste levy dramatically in 2019 and 2020.

Results from the SA landfill levy hike were analysed thoroughly, providing an effective test case for other Australian states.

Here are the key statistics to know from South Australia’s waste levy:

–          South Australia has the highest waste levy in Australia, at $143/tonne.

–          Studies determined that for every 1% increase in the costs of landfill, landfill volumes decrease by 1.1%.

–          From 2003-4 to 2015-16, resource recovery increased by 21.5% and waste to landfill reduced by 29%.

Where Else in the World are Waste Levies Effective?

–          Waste levies have been applied in 23 EU Member States as well as Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

–          Research has shown that countries with higher landfill taxes have lower landfill rates.

–          By 2030, Europe’s circular economy is predicted to add €900 billion ($AU1.4 trillion) to the economy and create three million jobs.

The Economic Benefits of Waste Levies: The Key Statistics

1.       Waste levies create employment

Studies on the South Australian waste levy noted every 10,000 tonnes of waste creates:

  •           3 jobs if landfilled
  •           9 jobs if recycled

This means levy increases are adding 21,000 full time equivalent jobs to the SA economy by 2030.

2.       Waste levies boost the state economy

By incentivising resource recovery, waste levies help return resources to circulation that would otherwise go to landfill.  

Boosting materials efficiency in Victoria by 5% would add $6.4 billion to the Victorian economy.

3.       Encourages investment in green technology

Higher waste levies boost investment in new resource recovery technologies.

This includes transformative waste approaches such as:

  •           Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) resource recovery: the ability to efficiently sort and recycle regular household waste
  •           Energy from Waste (EfW) generation: converting waste into fuel, energy or heat via incineration

Where does Waste Levy Revenue go in Victoria?

Revenue from waste levies is used to:

  1.       Address the potential consequences of landfill levies (eg. illegal dumping, waste transport or export, stockpiling)
  2.       Invest in resource recovery & waste management infrastructure, including business grants
  3.       Drive market demand for recycled materials

In 2018-2019, Australia’s national landfill levy proceeds were $1.13 billion, and 25% ($282 million) was reinvested into environmental efforts.

Only Victoria, NSW and WA have a dedicated plan on how to divide up waste levy revenue.

As part of the 10-year Recycling Victoria plan, the Victorian government has committed to investing $100 million in the state’s recycling industry.

Questions about Victoria’s landfill levy?

For comment on Victoria’s waste levy increase or Australia’s recycling industry, contact Jim’s Skip Bins. All statistics, facts and figures in this article are sourced from Waste Levies in Victoria.

Find the full infographic here (https://jimsskipbins.com.au/victoria-waste-levy-infographic/)

With rubbish removal costs rising in Australia, it’s understandable that we want to find the best deal on the market. But is the cheapest option always the best decision? 

Loved ones belongings

Losing a loved one is always a difficult time. In addition to coping with your grief, you may also be tasked with disposing of your loved one’s belongings. However, it is often necessary in order to close the estate.

Jims Skip Bins - local team loading skip bin onto truck

Whether you’re moving house, building a new home or just clearing out overgrown gardens, you’re likely stuck with large amounts of rubbish you need to get rid of. There are many ways of disposing of large amounts of rubbish, but which is the best way?

illegally dumped rubbish

We all know that dumping rubbish without a permit is bad, but is it actually illegal in every state in Australia? As waste management experts, we’ve outlined what constitutes illegal dumping and how you can report these incidents, keeping your community and environment clean.

You may have noticed that rubbish removal services are increasing in price in Australia, regardless of where you look. There’s more to these price increases than meets the eye; in fact, skip bin hire companies have been impacted by many market changes. So what exactly is causing these price increases?

If you’ve ever put something into the recycling bin hoping it will be recycled, your ‘wishcycling’ may just be sabotaging the entire bin (or truckload). You might not think it’s a big deal, but do you know how much contaminated recycling affects the recycling industry in Australia?

Do you think about what happens to the rubbish from your skip bin once you’ve thrown it away and the skip is removed? It’s easy to assume skip hire companies simply transport your waste to the tip, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Sustainability and responsible waste management is a big focus for rubbish removal companies. So what really happens to your skip bin waste, and how much rubbish actually ends up in landfill?

Skip bin hire rubbish is taken to waste transfer & recycling facilities where up to 90% of rubbish is recycled. Any recyclable materials are separated, processed, and treated for repurposing. Only waste that cannot be repurposed is taken to a waste disposal site for incineration or landfill.

This article has everything you need to know about what happens to skin bin rubbish. You’ll also learn how to ensure as much waste as possible is recycled for next time you hire a skip bin. Read on to learn all about skip waste recycling!

Does Skip Bin Waste Go to Landfill?

Skip bin hire waste does not go directly to landfills. Only about 15% to 30% is non-recyclable and ends up in waste disposal facilities or tips. Meanwhile, 70% to 90% of rubbish in skip bins is recycled. This waste is sorted and sent to appropriate recycling facilities.

Whenever a skip bin is collected, it is taken to a dedicated waste transfer facility. At this facility, anything that can be recycled is separated from the general waste. Only materials that cannot be incinerated, recycled or reused ultimately end up in a waste disposal site or landfill.

When you need to hire a skip in Australia, choose an environmentally conscious provider like Jim’s Skip Bins. This ensures a minimal amount of waste goes to landfill, and that as much rubbish as possible is recycled.

What Happens to Skip Bin Waste After Collection? 

Filled skip bins are collected and taken to a waste transfer station facility, where the rubbish gets sorted into recyclables and non-recyclable waste. Materials are then treated (screened, shredded, compacted, etc.) and transferred to the correct recycling facilities.

The majority of rubbish that is thrown into a skip bin is recyclable, but it has to be sorted first. The waste in a skip bin is taken to a special facility where the contents are sorted and processed.

There are many ways in which skip waste can be recycled or repurposed, depending on the type of material. Reliable skip bin hire companies practice responsible waste management, making sure that as little waste goes into landfill as possible, and as much as possible is reused and recycled.

After the contents of the skip bin have been processed by the sorting facility, anything that remains is waste that cannot be recycled. The small amount that remains is then sent to a waste disposal site.

How is Skip Bin Waste Sorted?

At a waste transfer station, a skip bin’s contents are sorted into categories: recyclable waste, organic material to be composted, any toxic material needing treatment, and scrap metal.

Anything that can be recycled has some processing performed on-site, such as sorting, screening, shredding, and compacting for transport. The materials are then transported to various recycling facilities.

Service providers such as Jim’s Skip Bins have the facilities and partnerships to maximise reclamation percentage and minimise waste. Sorting and processing materials for recycling required special facilities and a lot of hard work, which is one of the major factors in the cost of hiring a skip bin.

Where Do Skip Companies Dispose of Their Waste?

As much as possible, skip bin companies will recycle and reclaim materials. Skip bin rubbish that can’t be recycled is taken to a waste disposal site or landfill. Up to 90% of skip waste is ultimately recycled or repurposed, keeping it out of landfill wherever possible.

Most things that are placed in a skip bin can be recycled, and everything that can be recycled, from soil to timber and concrete, will be given a new life. The small amount of rubbish that remains that cannot be recycled or incinerated will end up in landfill sites.

What Items in Your Skip Bin Can Be Recycled?

Most items in your skip bin can be recycled, from garden waste like tree clippings to construction waste like bricks and scrap metal. However, to be recycled properly, they need to be in the correct type of skip bin.

Many types of skip bin waste can be recycled or reused after treatment and processing.

Building & Construction Materials

Construction waste is waste that is generated or remains from the construction or renovation of a building. Construction waste which can be recycled includes:

  • Bricks
  • Tiles
  • Cement
  • Stones
  • Rubble
  • Glass
  • Timber

This also includes timber, flooring, plasterboard, new insulation, sandpaper, rubble, terracotta, and concrete, but not insulation with asbestos. Many building materials can be salvaged and used in future construction, or broken down into high quality supplies.

Bricks can be repurposed or reused in gardening or landscaping. Cement, stone, and rubble can also be recycled as concrete aggregate or hardcore for road bases, heavy construction, or infill material in building foundations.

Tiles and glass may also be recycled and reused after being ground up and re-made into infill.

Scrap Metal

Scrap metal may also be recycled into construction or building supplies. Examples of scrap metal and waste metal are:

  • Metal cutoffs 
  • Cans 
  • Metal pipes
  • Copper cabling
  • Steel

Raw scrap metal is a resource in high demand, but it does need processing to make it useful. Scrap metal from skip bins is removed and sent to the appropriate facilities, whether that’s in Australia or overseas. 

Glass

Glass waste which may be reclaimed or recycled from a skip bin include:

  • Recyclable bottles and jars 
  • Construction site & demolition site glass 

Some types of glass can even be crushed into sand for construction use, even if it isn’t traditionally recyclable. 

Green Waste

Garden waste (such as grass clippings, tree branches, clippings, stumps, and soil) can often be recycled. 

Types of green waste include:

  • Tree branches
  • Flowers and plants
  • Plant trimmings
  • Tree stumps
  • Lawn clippings
  • Tree trunks
  • Weeds

These materials are sorted and taken to special facilities to be turned into compost, landscaping resources, or even biomass fuel (particularly old timber). Some cardboard manufacturers, horticultural businesses, and energy companies use this compost to produce their products or services.

Soil & Dirt 

Types of soil and dirt which can be disposed of in skip bins include:

  • Sand
  • Soil 
  • Dirt
  • Clay
  • Other soil & fill types

Soil in skips is often sent to land reclamation schemes to be reused as fill, as long as it’s uncontaminated. Soil which is contaminated with chemicals or petroleum should not be disposed of in skip bins (learn more about what can’t go in a skip here). 

E-Waste & Appliances

E-waste or electronic waste is rubbish and waste generated from electronic devices. Examples of e-waste include: 

  • TVs, DVD players, audio gear
  • Computers
  • Smartphones
  • Lighting 
  • Cables and accessories

As technology evolves quickly and devices are frequently replaced, it’s important that e-waste components are recycled wherever possible. Some electronic waste contains rare earth minerals that can be recycled, and many others are made with recyclable metals. These should be reused or recycled to create a circular and sustainable economy. 

When not handled properly however, electrical waste (such as computers and mobile phones) may leak liquid that is detrimental to the environment. That’s why proper processing and handling of e-waste is so critical. 

General Household Waste

This category covers any other household items, and many have recyclable materials, including:

  • Large appliances and whitegoods 
  • Small appliances
  • Clothes and textiles
  • Paper including books and stationery
  • Wooden furniture 
  • Car batteries (if placed on top of other general waste)

What Items in Your Skip Bins Can’t Be Recycled? 

Even within recyclable categories, not all materials can be recycled – for instance, some types of construction waste, non-recyclable plastics, and non-recyclable glass. Other items which go to landfill include mattresses and car tyres. 

It’s important to know what can’t be put in a skip bin before hiring one to ensure that your skip isn’t contaminated, which can reduce reclamation of resources.

Items to avoid putting in skips altogether include:

Hazardous Waste – As much as possible, you shouldn’t put hazardous or non-recyclable waste in your skip bins as they endanger the workers collecting your skips. If hazardous materials are included, you may be liable for steep charges for safe management and disposal of these goods. 

Some examples of hazardous waste that cannot be recycled include:

  • Asbestos 
  • Paint 
  • Batteries
  • Chemicals 
  • Poison 
  • Pesticides

For safe disposal of hazardous materials, contact a specialist such as Jim’s Asbestos Removal.    

Food waste – Food scraps ultimately shouldn’t be placed in skip bins, as it attracts vermin and most transfer station facility permits don’t allow that without special permission and overheads. Instead, food scraps should be disposed of via regular waste collection. Home or commercial composting are also great environmentally-friendly options for food waste. 

Are There Specific Recycling Skip Bins?

Rather than specific recycling skip bins, different waste types should go in separate skips so it can easily be processed and sorted. For example, you should use separate skip bins for green waste, general waste and construction waste.

It’s important to understand the waste types for skip bin hire and what you can dispose of in each bin. When you contact a skip bin hire company, be sure to ask what type of skip bin you’ll need so that you can contribute to responsible waste management.

Ideally, you shouldn’t mix and match the rubbish you put in your skip bins. For instance, keep green waste together (such as grass/lawn clippings, branches, weeds, flowers, and plants), but keep it separate from soil and dirt. 

General waste (such as clothes, toys, paper, dinnerware, furniture, and small appliances) can go together, E-waste or electronic products (such as computers, smartphones, lighting, cables, and CD/DVD players) go together in a separate skip. 

Some skips can also take building materials together (such as timber, flooring, plasterboard, new insulation, sandpaper, rubble, terracotta, tiles, bricks, and concrete), while glass (including light bulbs, vases, jars, and perfume bottles) should be in a separate skip bin.

Some skips are meant to handle commercial waste, including those for laboratories, manufacturing businesses, and schools, among others. Your skip bin hire company can help advise you which skip is suitable and how you should divide up your rubbish. 

Are There Specific Green Waste Skip Bins? 

Yes, there are green waste skip bins designed for green waste, such as grass clippings, branches, weeds, flowers, and plants. Green waste doesn’t break down the same way as other rubbish in landfills, and can often be turned into compost, so it needs to be disposed of properly. 

How You Can Help the Skip Waste Recycling Process 

To support the skip waste recycling process, make sure you are sorting your rubbish correctly and hiring the right type of skip bin. Here are our top strategies to ensure your skip waste can be recycled: 

1. Don’t Mix Waste Types in Your Skip Bin 

It is easy to help the skip waste recycling process. You simply have to sort your waste correctly. Construction waste, green waste, soil, e-waste and general household waste need to be disposed of in separate skips. Sometimes this isn’t feasible so most skip bin hire companies offer mixed waste bins, charging an overhead to sort and separate the bin.  A Jim’s Skip Bins Franchisee will talk through what waste is going in the bin and how to best pack the skip for more efficient and effective sorting.

2. Don’t Add Prohibited or Hazardous Materials to Your Skip Bin

Additionally, do not add prohibited or dangerous items (such as human waste, asbestos, paint, batteries, oils, flammable material, chemicals, poison, pesticides, and contaminated soil). If you’re not sure about the rubbish you want to throw away, check with your skip hire company first.

Having said that, it’s important to choose a trusted environmentally-friendly skip bin hire company, like Jim’s Skip Bins. Choosing the right service provider ensures your skip rubbish is disposed of sustainably and responsibly. Request a free no obligation quote here or call us on 131 546!

Hiring a skip bin for a commercial or residential project? At Jim’s, we have a wide range of bin types and sizes to cater for different categories of waste. Getting the best value out of your skip bin hire starts with choosing the right skip for your specific waste requirements. Here’s our handy guide to the different types of skips and how to choose the right one for your project. 

Types of skips 

Our skips fall into three major types; marrel, hook and mobile. These bins are typed by how they are transported and loaded on the truck. We’ve included the different features of  each bin and the waste types that they are best suited for.

Hook Skip Bins 

Hook bins are larger than the standard marrel skip, and tend to be best suited for bigger projects like house renovations and commercial construction. Their straight walls make it easy to stack flat materials like plaster board and timber. Hook skips tend to work well for high volumes of light waste.

Mobile Skip Bins

Mobile skips, also known as mini skips, are considerably smaller than marrel and hook skips. Mobile skips are easy to transport and due to their small size, they are great for more minor projects like spring cleans or garden projects. 

Marrel Skip Bins

Marrel skips are some of the most common skip bins and considered a great general bin. Suitable for a wide variety of waste types, marrel skips are made of strong steel so they can handle heavier weight loads. The shorter walls and shape of a marrel bin makes it easy to load, however make sure to not overload your bin as we won’t be able to collect it and dispose of your waste.

Choosing the right skip

Choosing the right type of skip will depend on the nature and scale of your project. You can use our handy waste type guide as well as our skip bin size guide. Getting touch with your local franchisee is also a great way to get a skip type recommendation specific to your waste requirements.

It’s important to note that there are some waste types that you can’t put in your skip bin. Hazardous materials like wet paint, chemicals, and asbestos can’t go in any of our skip bins. You can arrange safe disposal of asbestos through Jim’s Asbestos Removal & inspection.

Putrescible waste like food scraps and decaying animal matter are best disposed of in your ordinary green waste bin. If you are wanting to dispose of old mattresses and tires then please let us know beforehand. Have more questions about choosing the right skip bin? Get in touch with us today!

Whether you are doing a small household cleanout or commercial construction, hiring a skip bin is an effective way to manage your waste responsibly and sustainably. Depending on the size of your project, you’ll need to choose a bin suitable for your waste requirements. Packing your skip smartly means you’ll maximise the value of your bin hire and avoid problems down the road such as overfilling. At Jim’s Skip Bins, we’re experts at managing waste and have some handy tips on how you can pack your skip bin effectively.

1. Choose The Right Sized Skip

An easy way to ensure your skip bin hire is worth it is to ensure you are choosing the right-sized bin. Think about the scale of your project and the waste it’s likely to create. When it comes to skip bin hire, it’s recommended to size up if you’re unsure. You’ll often find that you will generate more waste than expected and choosing a larger bin will prevent the need for multiple bins to be hired or the possibility for your bin to be overfilled. In the case that your skip bin is overfilled then it’ll be declared unsafe to travel and can’t be disposed of until it meets the legal bin dimensions. Use the sizing guide below to work out what size skip bin you need!

If you’re still unsure what skip bin hire option is suitable for you, check out our handy size guide or contact your local franchisee!

2. Avoid Adding Prohibited Items

Knowing what can and can’t be added to your skip bin is a great way to save space and ensure efficiency. So, what can’t you put in your skip bin? It’s best to avoid any items which may decay, smell, damage, or be dangerous in the skip bin. You can check out the full list on what to avoid here. When you’re uncertain about whether an item can go in the bin, have a chat with our skip bin hire team before you place it in the bin. This will prevent the annoyance of having to remove an item from the bin and reduce the risk of all the contents becoming hazardous. 

3. Pack According To Weight And Scale

It’s best to approach packing your skip bin like a giant game of Tetris. While it may be tempting to simply chuck everything in there, taking the time to pack your bin will maximise space. Skip bins larger than 3m have walk in doors, so pack heavier items that use a trolley or wheelbarrow first. For smaller skips without walk-in doors, start with large flat objects, such as planks of wood and shelves, first. They can lie on the bottom of the bin and distribute the weight. Next, you want to put all your heaviest items. This includes items like white goods and heavy furniture; couches, tables, and desks. You want to place your biggest items in the skip bin following the heavy items so you have an idea of the remaining space.

4. Compress and Condense Waste

Following placing the biggest and heaviest items in the skip, add smaller items in the spaces left. To make the most of the space, you need to condense your items and make them as small as possible. Disassemble furniture, cut tree branches, and roll up softer items like carpet or other materials. You can bag up green waste like leaves as well as other smaller items. 

5. Dispose Of Items Elsewhere 

If you’re reaching maximum capacity in your skip bin, consider disposing of your unwanted items elsewhere. In the case of household items, evaluate whether an item can be given to a friend or family member, donated elsewhere or recycled. Green waste can be transformed into mulch for your garden. While not everything can be reused, removing a few items can create valuable space in your skip bin and give them a second life.

Book Your Skip Bin Today!

Responsible waste management is easy with Jim’s Skip Bins! Contact our friendly team on 131 546 or complete a free, no-obligation skip bin hire quote online.

We at Jim’s Skip Bins take sustainable waste management seriously. Preserving the Australian environment means disposing of waste responsibly. We play our part by rigorously following all required regulations and sorting waste from our skips to be sorted or recycled at the appropriate facilities. You can do your part by ensuring to not put any hazardous materials in your skip. 

What cannot 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 some items may contaminate the whole bin and can be dangerous to our team and the environment. 

Putrescible Waste 

Waste likely to decay, or putrescible waste, should not be disposed of using skip bin hire. This includes waste from food, animals, manure, disposable nappies, etc. An easy way to avoid putting putrescible waste in your bin is to think about the item sitting in the bin for a period of time. Will it likely rot, begin to smell or potentially create any other nuisances such as luring pests? Then don’t place it in your skip bin. 

You can dispose of your food and putrescible household waste in your green household bin. If you’ve got organic materials, such as old fruit and vegetables and animal poo, you can dispose of it in a home or local compost. In the case of 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, do not place any asbestos within your skip bin. Instead, contact Jim’s Asbestos Removal for a safe and easy removal. 

Chemicals, Wet Paint and Oil 

When it comes to disposing of chemicals, wet paint and oils, do not place them in your skip bin. Examples of harmful chemicals you should avoid placing in your bin include rat poison, detergents, and fuels. We also do not accept wet paint, however dry paint is fine to dispose of in your skip. 

You can safely dispose of your chemical, paint and oil waste with Planet Ark. Simply enter your postcode here to find a suitable disposal facility near you. 

Electrical Waste

Although we do accept electrical supplies, you can cut out the middleman and make more room in your skip by directly recycling these materials. Examples of electrical waste which can be recycled include phones, laptops and televisions. These items are all composed of rare minerals which are currently in short demand. 

To recycle your electronics, head to Ecoactiv and book an easy pickup. Helping to dispose of these materials responsibly is contributing to the circular economy and preventing soil and water contamination. 

Medical Waste

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an increase in commercial and household medical waste. Whether it be 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 it 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. Green waste such as large tree stumps, bamboo and Agapanthus plants.

Still unsure?

If you are unsure about whether you can dispose of an item in one of our skip bins, then please get in touch. Our friendly team can advise you according to specific State and council guidelines. It’s best to ask before chucking it in the bin and potentially contaminating the other materials.