The Importance of Compliant Skip Waste Disposal

Prohibited items in skips

Certain items aren’t allowed to be thrown away in skips due to the fact they’re hazardous or have the potential for environmental harm. Here’s a list of commonly prohibited items:

• Sofas: Due to fire safety regulations and the materials used, sofas often require special disposal methods.
• TVs: Contain hazardous materials like lead and mercury, requiring specialised recycling.
• Batteries: Classified as hazardous waste because they contain harmful chemicals and heavy metals.
• Plasterboard: Can produce harmful gases when mixed with other waste.
• Fluorescent tubes: Contain mercury, a toxic substance that must be handled carefully.
• Electrical appliances: Must be recycled or disposed of according to specific regulations.
• Fridge freezers: Contain refrigerants that are harmful to the ozone layer.
• Light bulbs: Often contain hazardous materials like mercury.
• Gas cylinders: Highly pressurised and potentially explosive.
• Tyres: Difficult to dispose of and recycle – require special processing.
• Vehicle batteries: Contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals.
• Pesticides: Hazardous chemicals that require specialised disposal.
• Creosote fence panels: Treated with chemicals that are harmful to health and the environment.

Now we’ve listed the items that you should definitely avoid putting into a skip, we’re going to zoom in on some of these items and look at why they in particular can cause problems for the environment and waste management professionals.

Detailed look at problematic items

Plasterboard

Plasterboard is a common building material that can’t be disposed of in standard skips due to the release of hydrogen sulphide gas when it breaks down. This gas is harmful to both humans and the environment. To address this, here at Brown Recycling, we offer specialised plasterboard bags or plasterboard-only skips, ensuring that this material is processed safely and compliantly with environmental regulations.

Upholstery containing POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants)

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are chemicals that do not break down easily in the environment and can accumulate in living organisms. Due to their potential toxicity, upholstery containing POPs is now banned from regular waste disposal streams such as skips. This includes items treated with flame retardants, which are common in sofas and mattresses.

Wood (withdrawal of RPS250)

This change emphasises the need for careful segregation and proper disposal methods to prevent environmental contamination.

Gas cylinders

Gas cylinders, whether they contain propane, butane or other gases, are strictly prohibited in skips due to the fact they’re pressurised. Failure to dispose of these properly can lead to explosions or fires. With this in mind, it’s essential to return empty or unused gas cylinders to suppliers or disposal facilities where they can be safely depressurised and recycled.

Vape batteries

Vape batteries, like all lithium-ion batteries, are a significant fire hazard if not disposed of correctly. These batteries can short-circuit, leading to fires or explosions, especially when they are punctured or damaged in waste processing facilities. They should never be disposed of in general waste or skips. Instead, they should be taken to designated recycling points or hazardous waste facilities where they can be handled safely.

At Brown Recycling, we pride ourselves on being a leading name in responsible and sustainable waste management and recycling. As an award-winning business, with nearly 100 years of industry expertise, we’ve seen and handled it all. And our knowledge of waste management and skip hire regulations is second to none.

We know that understanding and staying compliant with skip hire regulations can be complex, but it’s crucial for avoiding fines and ensuring safe, efficient waste disposal. Whether you’re a business looking to manage waste more effectively, or a homeowner embarking on a renovation project, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process. We use our expertise, so you don’t have to worry.

Get in touch with our expert team today. Call us on 0800 998 1069 or email [email protected].