Waste worth considering

By Harry Lloyd – Head of Marketing:

These days, it can be confusing to know where to dispose of all the different types of household and non-household waste. With many restrictions at recycling centres, which differ by county or local authority, getting rid of waste sometimes seems to cause more issues than it solves. Leading waste disposal experts, HIPPO, have put together a comprehensive guide that hopefully answers any queries you may have on waste disposal and hiring a skip. Below are some of the most common questions that HIPPO receive, ranging from finding out what waste can be disposed of where, what waste goes to landfill and what is recyclable, plus environmental queries and everything you need to know about hiring a skip.

What items can go in a skip? “What can I put in a skip?” is a common question that we receive. The answer is simpler than you may think. Essentially, if the waste is not hazardous to human health, or controlled by environmental legislation, it can go into a skip. Most waste-service providers will have detailed listings of what can go in a skip, either on their websites or on the waste transfer note provided at the time of delivery. We have this information clearly detailed in a helpful guide on our website to assist you through this process.

What size skip do I need? There is a multitude of ways to have your waste removed, depending on your needs. A common question is “What size of skip do I need?” or “What size of bag do I need?”. Most waste services are measured in cubic yards, so it can sometimes be confusing to know how big you need to go with your skip, but skip hire isn’t your only option for large amounts of waste. For those of us that don’t understand a cubic yard, it may be simpler to imagine the volume of a standard washing machine. One washing machine equals one cubic yard. Simple enough, right? Next, what sort of waste are you disposing of? If the waste is very heavy, such as bricks or soil, a skip may be preferable, as they can take around eight tonnes (one cubic yard of soil or rubble is around one tonne in weight). The last question is, will you be loading it into the container yourself?

If it’s a yes and you are happy to load the waste, then a HIPPOBAG or a skip are good options. Selecting the right skip or waste bag is important for you in several ways. For example, you don’t want to have waste left over or have paid for a skip to fill only half of it. Of course, this will impact on your costs. If you order a skip that is too small, you will have to have another delivered, or if you overfill your skip, you will be liable for additional charges.

If you order too large of a skip though, you will be paying for the empty space. If you need assistance or simply don’t have the time, you can order a manned service, such as our Here to Clear service, with our operatives who will do this for you, or you can opt for a ‘grab lorry’ that will use a mechanical bucket to collect the waste. Our Man and Van service is suited more to house or office clearances and general waste removal, while the ‘grab lorry’ is best for large volumes of rubble and soil. Our website gives some handy tips and guidance on the selection process.

What waste cannot be recycled? We are often asked which wastes can be recycled, and which wastes cannot be recycled. Currently HIPPO is able to recycle 98% of the waste we collect. The most commonly recycled materials are bricks and concrete, soils, green waste, cardboard, plastics and metals. However, if these wastes become heavily contaminated, they become unrecyclable. For example, clean cardboard in a skip will be pulled out for baling and onward transport to a cardboard recycling business. If that same cardboard was covered in paints and oils in the skip, or prior to going in the skip, it is no longer recyclable and will end up as waste diverted to energy or, at worst, in landfill. Some waste needs to be segregated to enable it to remain recyclable. This is the case for plasterboard: if plasterboard is kept separate and bagged, it can easily be removed from the other waste and sent to a recycler; if it is loose in a skip, then it breaks down into a powder which becomes almost impossible to separate and recycle. Either bag it separately in the HIPPOBAG or skip, or we can supply a special bag for this service.

What waste goes to landfill? Why is waste/rubbish bad for the environment? Well, simply put, waste that can be recycled is not bad for the environment. Historically, waste was not recycled and was instead placed in a large hole in the ground called a landfill site. As time passes, the waste rots or degrades and emits methane gas. This gas is bad for our environment, as it adversely affects the ozone layer. However, most landfills now capture this gas for energy generation.

How can I stay on top of recycling & compliance in my business? Environmental compliance can be a minefield and keeping abreast of changes and the effects on your business can be a challenge. HIPPO is a trusted provider of waste services and partnering with us takes away the headache and ensures that you have access to our full range of services and environmental compliance support. Does Multiple Locations Mean Many Suppliers and Contracts?

There are very few fully nationwide waste-service providers in the UK; however, HIPPO can provide this service.

What do I have to pay for at the tip? In recent months, many local councils have had to reduce spending on the services they provide. With austerity measures in full swing, this pattern is sure to continue, so many councils will now apply charges for waste types that cost them additional money to dispose of. These include many types of non-household waste, including rubble, soil and plasterboard. For some areas, these costs can mount up depending on waste volumes – while you used to be able to take construction waste to the tip for free, this may no longer be the case. HIPPO have worked hard to provide a detailed cost calculator for the UK, to help you understand the most cost-effective solution for disposing of your waste. You can find our tip charge checker here.

Is it okay to move waste from one site to a centralised skip? Unless the waste is a singular stream, such as cardboard for collation, then this practice would be deemed as waste transfer and could result in a breach of environmental regulations. Mixed waste should be collected only by those who hold a waste carrier’s license and should then only be transported to a permitted waste transfer facility or exempt facility.

Does it matter if I don’t segregate my plasterboard in a skip or HIPPOBAG? If not properly segregated, plasterboard breaks down into small pieces and powders, so becomes impossible to separate out from the rest of the waste. Landfill regulations ban plasterboard from entering landfill sites and therefore, to give the waste transfer stations any chance of complying with these laws, we ask you to separate the plasterboard and contain it within a bag. All waste transfer stations will apply additional charges if plasterboard is mixed in with the waste, no matter where you have hidden it within the bag or skip. These days, all waste is tipped and tracked down to the individual customer and pictures are taken should any breaches of terms apply. To save time – and hefty fines – it’s simpler to bag it up in the first instance.

If my waste gets fly-tipped, is it my fault? In the eyes of the law, you can be held responsible for your waste, which is why it is imperative that you use a licensed business and are comfortable that they will dispose of the waste at the correct facility. A simple rule of thumb is that, if you think the price is too good to be true, it probably is. If the fly-tipped waste is traced back to you, you are at risk of a £1000 fine. If you ask for proof of a waste carrier’s license and research the business that is removing your waste, they’re two ways to reduce the likelihood of them fly-tipping and it being traced back to you. For more information on waste disposal methods, contact leading rubbish removal specialists HIPPO for skip hire and waste-removal services in your area.