Never fill a skip with waste materials that could present a potential fire hazard or cause an explosion. Also, materials that could release toxic fumes, pose a health or environmental hazard should not be thrown into a skip.

For safety reasons it’s always safer to place skips on the road instead of the pavement.

Mini Skips: Capacity, 1-2 cu yards or 0.75-1.5 cu meters. Height, 2'6” or 0.76 meters. Length, 5' or 1.52 meters. Width 4' or 1.22 meters.

Midi Skips: Small, convenient and suitable for small low volume waste projects.

When hiring a skip there are usually four sizes of skip available; Mini, midi, builders and large.

If you need to hire a skip, contact your local council, they may have a list of approved skip hire companies.

Usually the vehicle delivering the skip to your house will be a LGV and are normally very large. Make sure there is enough room to allow it in and out safely.

Try to think realistically about what needs to thrown away. Two small skips will cost more to hire than a large one.

Your local council will be able to provide you with information on the placing of skips and permits.

When it’s dark or visibility is poor because of fog or mist, place reflective cones or flashing marker lights around the skip.