What happens to skip waste?

Years of experience working in the waste disposal

Hiring a skip is a fantastic way to dispose of your waste. Not only is it highly convenient but it allows you to get rid of all sorts of items and materials in a highly affordable and eco-friendly manner. If you’re wondering

What happens to skip waste, read on. In this article, we’ve explained more about what happens to your rubbish once it’s taken away from your site. 

What happens to skip waste?

With more and more of us looking to make eco-friendly choices, the question “What do skip companies do with your waste?” is becoming increasingly common. Many people want to be sure that their rubbish is recycled instead of sent directly to a landfill where it can harm the environment. The good news is that most UK skip hire firms now take an ethical approach to waste management. Reusing as many materials as possible. Usually, they will transport it to a waste transfer station in order for it to be sorted and separated into different categories. It’s then either recycled or sent on to a hazardous waste facility or to a landfill site. 

Sorting and separating waste 

The first step in the waste management process is sorting and separating the waste. This takes place at a waste transfer station. Once a skip arrives here, it’s placed onto a weighbridge in order to establish how much of it there is. The waste is now ready to be separated into different categories. 

Each waste category is treated by type. For example, scrap metal is stripped down into separate subcategories whilst building rubble is crushed and soil is screened. The treatment phase of the waste management process prepares the waste for the last stage of recycling. Which involves it being sent to specialist companies that will turn it into new products.  

Waste transfer stations use various types of equipment and a range of processes when handling rubbish from skips. Large rotating mesh screens called trommels do the job of separating solid waste of different sizes, whilst huge industrial magnets are responsible for extracting various metals. Manual sorting before mechanical processing is sometimes necessary. This involves removing bulky items from the waste by hand. 

Processing of waste 

Once the waste has gone through the sorting and treating stages, it’s ready to be processed. Rubbish is dealt with in different ways depending on the type. For example, paper is separated into grades before going through a lengthy process that includes being washed with water and treated with various chemicals to remove ink and glue. Metals such as aluminium, iron, zinc and copper are sorted into different types before being sent for recycling and made into new products. They are melted down in big furnaces and turned into sheets or blocks that are then sold to manufacturers. 

Garden waste is transported to specialist facilities where it is turned into compost for domestic or commercial use. This can include waste such as grass, tree and hedge cuttings. 

Building waste such as concrete, bricks, stone, tiles, glass, and other construction materials is usually crushed down to make hardcore. Hardcore can serve as an ideal sub-base for building projects. It’s important not to throw plasterboard into a skip at any point. This is because it contains sulphates, which can create hydrogen sulphide – a very toxic chemical compound. If you’re not sure if you can put an item into a skip, it’s best to ask your skip hire team. 

The importance of recycling skip waste 

When hiring a skip hire company, it’s important to ensure that they use eco-friendly methods when handling waste. As the need to protect the environment becomes ever more urgent. It’s essential that skip firms recycle as much rubbish as possible rather than simply sending it to a local landfill. Not only is the UK running short of space for landfills but they’re bad news for the planet due to being a significant source of pollution. They produce large quantities of harmful greenhouse gases, leachate and toxins. So, when disposing of your rubbish via a skip, make sure you choose a company that is well-known for its ethical waste management methods. Whether you’re a domestic or commercial customer, you can feel safe in the knowledge your waste is being dealt with in the most environmentally-friendly manner. 

Skip hire in Washington 

If you require skip hire in Washington, don’t hesitate to contact local company Ward Bros. We’ve been supplying skips for domestic and commercial use for many years, building a fantastic reputation in the area. Our skips come in various sizes, ranging from small mini skips to huge maxi skips and even RORO skips ideal for commercial and industrial projects. We can often provide a same-day service and are more than happy to assist with acquiring a skip permit if required. Our prices are amongst the most competitive in the area too. Making sure you’ll never pay more than you need to for professional skip hire services. 

At Ward Bros, we’re renowned for our eco-friendly waste management methods. We recycle as many materials as we can, making sure as little waste as possible ends up in a landfill. We’re committed to complying with the government’s latest guidelines for waste management. The guideline of how to dispose of rubbish correctly is called the ‘waste hierarchy’. 

Contact us

For skip hire in Washington, get in touch with our friendly team today. You can reach us by telephoning 0191 666 0167 or by sending us a message through the contact form on the website. Whether you’re still wondering “What do skip companies do with your waste?”, you need more information about our skips, or you’d like to place an order, we’re on hand to assist. We can answer all your questions and queries promptly.