For the vast majority of the UK that are not skip experts. Knowing when to hire a skip and which skip to order can be a daunting task. Therefore it is unsurprising that one of the most asked waste related questions is what size skip do I need?
Unfortunately, one size does not fit all, and there is no single answer since it depends entirely on the amount and type of waste you want to dispose of. However, to support you in choosing the right skip, the experts at Recyclezone have compiled a comprehensive guide to skip sizes and purposes to answer all your burning questions.
Do Skip Sizes Matter?
Put simply, yes. Often we see skips which are overloaded with waste and so can’t be removed. Surprisingly, many people don’t know that skips have weight limits and that the vehicles that collect these skips can only safely contain a certain amount of rubbish at one time.
If you do happen to overload your skip, it is very likely that you might be either fined by your waste disposal service provider or that you will later have to remove items to lessen the load, so it is really important to understand which skip size you require.
In the UK, the most common way to measure a skip is in cubic yards. We estimate that for each cubic yard, a skip can comfortably accommodate roughly 10 bin bags of rubbish. If you follow this general rule, skip sizes are far easier to understand!
What Skip Sizes Are Available?
There are many skip sizes available to both domestic and industrial clients, ranging from mini skips to midi skips and large skips. To simplify this further, Recyclezone have compiled a detailed break-down of skip sizes to help you determine which size skip you need.
– 2 Yard Skip
The smallest skip available is the 2 yard skip which can hold roughly 20-25 bin bags, making it ideal for your smaller domestic tasks such as clearing garden waste or tidying up after your DIY endeavours. These skips are also commonly hired for spring clear-outs and many other domestic jobs since they fit neatly on even the smallest driveways and the tightest parking spaces (with a permit of course!).
The rough dimensions for this skip are:
- Volume: 1.5m3
- Height: 0.8m
- Length: 1.2m
- Width: 0.90m
– 4 Yard Skip
The 4 yard skip is able to contain twice the contents that a 2 yard skip can, managing between 40-45 bin bags of waste at a time. This size skip is ideal for small, one-room renovations. For example, this sized skip is commonly hired by those refitting their kitchen or bathroom. This sized skip is also useful as a secondary waste container due to its versatile yet compact size, particularly where waste needs separating. Due to its compact yet useful size, this skip is ideal for limited space as it fits neatly within garden areas and on driveways.
The rough dimensions for this skip are:
- Volume: 3m3
- Height: 0.97m
- Length: 1.83m
- Width: 1.3m
– 6 Yard Skip
The 6 yard skip is perfect for moderate waste since it can carry between 60-70 full bin bags of rubbish. This particular skip size is renowned for its reputation as a builder’s skip since it is the optimal size for building and construction sites as well as domestic home renovations. It is ideal for those looking to rid of waste from a medium sized project!
The rough dimensions for this skip are:
- Volume: 4.6m3
- Height: 1.2m
- Length: 2.6m
- Width: 1.5m
– 8 Yard Skip
The 8 yard skip is a generous size and slightly larger than the 6 yard skip, with enough room to accomodate between 80 to 90 bin bags. Due to its large volume, any skips larger than this are most suited to a commercial environment where the waste generated is far greater. It is perhaps the most versatile of all skips since it is perfect for a wide range of commercial, domestic and industrial projects.
The rough dimensions for this skip are:
- Volume: 6.1m3
- Height: 1.2m
- Length: 3.6m
- Width: 1.7m
– 10 Yard Skip
Holding roughly 100 bin bags of waste, the 10 yard skip is a popular choice for commercial tasks and major home renovation projects. They are also most commonly hired to clear up after tasks such as office clearing and small store fittings.
The rough dimensions for this skip are:
- Volume: 7.6m3
- Height: 1.5m
- Length: 3.5m
- Width: 1.75m
– 12 Yard Skip
The 12 yard skip is also regularly used within the commercial setting owing to its generously proportioned size. However, they can also be suitable for domestic use where there is a substantial amount of waste to contain. It is known to contain between 100-115 bin bags. However, it is worth noting that despite their size, they are not suited to contain more than 8 tonnes! So whilst they can be filled, they should only be filled with certain waste and you should avoid filling them with dense, heavy waste such as soil and stones. For more information feel free to enquire about the suitability of the 12 yard skip for your next project.
The rough dimensions for this skip are:
- Volume: 9.8m3
- Height: 1.7m
- Length: 3.7m
- Width: 1.75m
– 16 Yard Skip
16 yard skips are among the largest skips available and can accomodate a substantial amount of waste. In fact, a 16 yard skip can hold between 160 and 170 bin bags full of waste, making it ideal for commercial clients. The best use for this sized skip is either a very large project or the completion of numerous, smaller projects to be cleared up together.
The rough dimensions for this skip are:
- Volume: 12.2m3
- Height: 2m
- Length: 4.2m
- Width: 1.84m
– 20 Yard Skip
The 20 yard skip is immensely popular amongst labourers following household clearances since they can hold up to 220 bin bags of bulky waste. Due to their hefty size, they are typically only used on industrial or construction sites where they can fit comfortably. The 20 yard skip is the typical size of a builders skip.
The rough dimensions for this skip are:
- Volume: 15.3m3
- Height: 2m
- Length: 6m
- Width: 2.4m
– 30 Yard Skip
The 30 yard skip can hold a truly impressive amount of weight and is most commonly hired for large home clearances, disposing of masses of garden waste and plenty of light-weight yet bulky building waste. Experts say that the 30 yard skip is best for garden waste and woods such as timber due to their size and weight.
The rough dimensions for this skip are:
- Volume: 23m3
- Height: 2m
- Length: 6.1m
- Width: 2.4m
– 40 Yard Skip
The 40 yard skip is the maximum skip-size publicly available. As a result, they require a significant amount of space. Although widely available to domestic clients, these skips are most often used by commercial clients as they require the largest capacity to store waste. It is the perfect size for light-weight yet bulky waste. However, it is worth noting that whilst smaller skips such as the 6-8 yard skips can be filled entirely with heavy waste, the larger skips like these will have a specific limit of both heavy and light waste to be contained since a 40 yard skip filled with heavy waste will be impractical. For further details on these restrictions, please contact a professional waste collection service.
The rough dimensions for this skip are:
- Volume: 30m3
- Height: 2.6m
- Length: 6m
- Width: 2.4m
If you are still unsure what skip you need, have further questions or simply require more information please feel free to get in touch with our friendly team! We’re happy to help.
Feature image credit: Charlie Goodall / Shutterstock