What is a mini skip?

Years of experience working in the waste disposal

Many people choose to hire a mini skip when they want to dispose of small amounts of waste generated by home renovations, gardening, or other minor projects. It’s a convenient and cost-effective way to manage rubbish without needing to make multiple trips to the local tip. If you’re wondering “What is a mini skip?”, keep reading. 

How big is a mini skip and how much can it hold?

Mini skips can come in various sizes, generally ranging from 2 to 4 cubic yards. Their small, compact size not only makes them ideal for handling small amounts of waste but also means they can be easily stored in tight spaces, such as driveways. This can remove the need to obtain a permit in many cases. Although mini skips are the smallest in the range, they can still hold a decent amount of waste. At Ward Bros, we supply 3-yard mini skips, which hold around 30 bin bags of rubbish. 

What projects can mini skips be used for? 

Mini skips are well-suited to a variety of smaller-scale projects, including:

• Home renovations. Mini skips are most commonly used for disposing of waste after home renovation work, including kitchen and bathroom remodels. You can throw all manner of construction debris in these skips, including bricks and rubble, old flooring, and tiles. 
• DIY projects. Whether you’re crafting, woodworking, or engaging in any other DIY projects, a mini skip can be used to get rid of the waste materials it generates, including wood scraps and packaging.
• Garden cleanups. Mini skips are ideal for handling garden clean-ups. They provide an efficient solution for getting rid of leaves, branches, soil, and other green waste. 
• Household clear-outs. When the time comes to clear out your loft or garage, a mini skip can be a godsend. Throw your unwanted items, such as old furniture and appliances into the skip and let us take them away.
• Moving or downsizing. A mini skip can be incredibly useful when moving house or downsizing. You can slim down your possessions and lighten your load by throwing your discarded belongings into the skip. 

Do mini skips require a permit?

Whether a permit is required for a mini skip depends on where you plan to store it. If you want to place the skip on private property, such as your garden or driveway, you normally won’t need a permit. However, if the mini skip needs to be placed on a public road or pavement, you may need to obtain a skip permit from the local council. We can help you with this here at Ward Bros, with our team on hand to liaise with the council and assist you in acquiring the necessary permit for your skip. 

How to fill a mini skip safely

Now you know what is a mini skip, you may be wondering how to fill it correctly. When hiring a mini skip to dispose of rubbish, keep safety in mind. Following these guidelines can help to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to property: 

• Start with heavy items. Place heavy or bulky items at the bottom of the skip. This provides a stable base and prevents the lighter items from moving around and causing the skip to become unbalanced.
• Break down larger items. Breaking down large items such as furniture can help to maximise space in the skip, allowing you to fit more waste into it. 
• Avoid overfilling. Don’t overfill the skip beyond its capacity. Items shouldn’t be higher than the edge of the skip or hang over the sides, as this can cause safety hazards during transportation. The skip hire company you use could refuse to take the skip away or you could face a steep fine or additional charges.
• Avoid hazardous materials. Don’t dispose of hazardous materials, such as asbestos, chemicals or batteries, in a mini skip. These items are prohibited by most skip hire companies since they require special disposal procedures. Placing such items into a skip could mean the skip hire firm won’t take the skip away, causing delays to your project and potential fines for improper waste disposal.

If you need advice on filling a mini skip safely, don’t hesitate to talk to our team who will be happy to provide it. We can offer you plenty of guidance to help you get the most out of our skip hire service.

Hire mini skips in Washington

Mini skips are highly versatile and ideal for a wide range of projects that require prompt and convenient rubbish disposal. At Ward Bros, we can deliver a 3-yard mini skip to your home or site, providing you with an easy way to get rid of all manner of waste, ranging from building materials and household clutter to garden debris. As well as being able to deliver to your skip or the same or next day in many cases, our flexible rental periods ensure you have ample time to complete your project without feeling rushed. 

Eco-friendly skip hire 

When you hire a mini skip from Ward Bros, you can expect to receive an eco-friendly service. We aim to recycle as much waste as possible, reducing the amount that ends up in landfill. We process waste at our waste transfer station, where we carefully sort through the materials to separate recyclable and non-recyclable items. Those made from wood, metal, plastic, and paper are sorted and sent to recycling facilities for processing whilst non-recyclable waste is disposed of responsibly. At Ward Bros, we aim to minimise our environmental impact as much as we can. 

Contact us 

If you’re still wondering “What is a mini skip?” or you’re ready to hire one of our mini skips in Washington, get in touch today. You can reach us by phoning 0191 666 0167 or by sending us a message via the form on the website.