Skip Hire FAQs
Everything You Need to Know
If you’re hiring a skip for the first time — or just want to double-check what’s allowed — you’re in the right place. Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions we get at Peak Waste Recycling.
Q: What is skip hire?
A: Skip hire is a service that provides large open-topped containers for waste management. These containers, known as skips, are used for the disposal of various types of waste, including construction debris, household rubbish, garden waste, and more.
Q: How do I book a skip?
A: Booking a skip is simple. You can book online through our website or give us a call on 01335 342 276. Just choose the skip size you need, select your delivery date, and provide your address details.
Q: What sizes of skips are available?
A: We provide various skip sizes to accommodate different requirements. Our selection includes mini skips (2-3 cubic yards), midi skips (4-5 cubic yards), and builder’s skips (6-8 cubic yards).
Q: How long can I keep the skip?
A: Our standard hire period is 7 days from the delivery date, before the skip is collected. If you wish to extend the rental period you must call at least 24 hours before the collection date and we can take a payment of £10+ vat charge per extra week. If you filled the skip before the 7 day rental, you can let us know by phone or email, and we will endeavour to collect at the first opportunity.
If you have limited time or space, we offer a ‘wait and load’ service whereby our driver will stay with you for a standard duration of 30 minutes
Q: What can I do to prepare for the arrival of a skip?
A: Ensure the area where you would like the skip to be placed is clear and free of any items that may get in the way. Furthermore, the path from the road to where the skip will be placed needs to be free of any obstructions.
Some less-obvious obstructions to consider could be:
- Drain covers
- Any running cables
- Overhanging tree branches
It’s important to consider the area where you are placing the skip. Skips can be placed in gardens if there is clear access, but it’s not advisable to place the skip on soft ground. A driveway or solid-floor garden area is more suitable. If you have any concerns about where you will place a skip or whether our drivers will be able to access your location, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Q: How much waste do skips hold?
A: We offer a range of skips so that our customers can hire the skip that’s right for them and won’t waste their money by hiring a skip that is too big for their requirements. Our smallest skip is the 4-yard Midi Skip, holding approximately 40 rubbish bags.
Our full range of skips and the approximate number of rubbish bags they will hold is summarised below:
- Midi Skip (4 yard) 40 bin bags
- Medium Skip (6 yard) 50 bin bags
- Builder’s Skip (8 yard) 60 bin bags
We ask that you only load the skip up to the level of the top of the skip, i.e. don’t mound rubbish over the top of the skip. Doing so will prevent the skip from being loaded onto the truck when we pick it up to take away. Any failed collections due to overfilling will result in a wasted journey charge.
Q: Can I put a skip in my garden?
A: Yes, providing there is sufficient access for our delivery vehicle. But beware that skips are very heavy, especially once full, so damage to your lawn is likely if placed on the grass. Furthermore, on delivery, the truck bringing your skip to you will need access to the resting spot, potentially causing additional harm to your lawn.
Q: Can I put a skip on the road or path outside my home?
A:You can have the skip outside of your home on public roads, providing it’s not violating any road/traffic rules at that location, i.e. double yellow lines. You cannot block a public footpath, so there needs to be ample space on the road so that the skip can be placed and not be intrusive to road users.
If you will be placing the skip on the road and not on private property, we will need to seek permission and a permit from your local council. We will arrange the permit for you if you request a roadside drop-off. We only charge for the amount paid to the council to obtain the permit.
Q: When will the skip be delivered?
A: We aim to deliver skips within 24-48 hours of your booking, or farther ahead if required. You can select your preferred delivery date during the booking process.
Q: Do I need to be at home when the skip is delivered or collected?
A: No, you don’t need to be at home. Just ensure there is clear access to where you want the skip placed, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Q: Where can the skip be placed?
A: Skips can be placed on private property, such as a driveway or garden. If you need the skip to be placed on public land, such as a road, you will need a permit from the local council. We can help arrange this for you.
Q: What can I put in the skip?
A: Here is a list of the most common items that our customers use our skips to dispose of that are suitable to be put in a skip:
- Garden waste
- Mattresses (an additional charge will apply)
- Soils and rubble (only in skip sizes 4 yard, 6 yard and an 8 yard)
- Wood
- Furniture – that is not upholstered. Please read the upholstered furniture FAQ for more information
- Plastics
- Metals
- Toys
- Clothing
- Plasterboard (this be bagged and failure to do so will incur an additional charge)
- Cardboard & Paper
- UPVC Windows
- White goods (an additional charge will apply)
- Household appliances
- Glass
- Car parts
- TVs (an additional charge will apply)
If you have an item to dispose of that isn’t on this list, or the list below detailing what cannot be put in a skip, then please contact us, and we’ll be happy to give you the answer, or please check our Waste Guidelines.
Q: What waste can’t I put in the skip?
A: We can deal with all types of waste for you, but for some items, we need to know about them in advance to advise you on the best disposal method. If you plan on disposing of any of the following items, then please “href=”https://peakwaste.co.uk/contact-us”;contact us, and we can help make the arrangements:
- Asbestos
- Upholstered furniture
- Batteries
- Clinical, Medical, or Human Waste
- Electrical items
- Computer monitors
- Laptops
- etc.
- Fluorescent light bulbs
- Food waste
- Gas tanks or cylinders
- Aerosols
- Liquids
- Gasoline
- Paint or Paint Cans
- Plasterboard (unless bagged)
- Glues and Solvents
- Tyres
- WEEE Waste
- Hazardous/Toxic Materials
- Tree roots
If you have an item to dispose of that isn’t on this list or the list above detailing what can be put in a skip, then please contact us, and we’ll be happy to give you the answer.
Q: Why can’t I put upholstered furniture into a skip?
A: Due to the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation by the Environment Agency (February 2023), we can no longer accept upholstered furniture in our skips. Waste upholstered seating often contains POPs and must now be handled separately from all other waste.
Upholstered furniture is any household seating that may contain POPs, including but not limited to:
- Sofas
- Sofa beds
- Armchairs
- Kitchen and dining room chairs
- Stools and footstools
- Home office chairs
- Futons
- Bean bags, floor and sofa cushions
Please contact us on 01335 342 276 about any domestic seating, and we will advise you on whether you require a man and van service instead of skip hire.
Q: What happens to the waste?
A: We take our responsibility toward the environment extremely seriously, and it is our mission to exceed all necessary and desirable requirements set in place to protect the environment.
Peak Waste operates with environmentally green principles at our core. We make every effort to recycle as much of the waste that goes into our skips as possible. When we collect your skip, it is taken to our recycling facility in Derbyshire, and currently, over 98% of the waste our customers put in our skips is recycled here.
All waste is separated into dedicated bays and goes through our picking station to pull out all recyclable materials, which can be processed and sent to other facilities for further processing or energy recovery facilities.
Q: Can I recycle through your service?
A: Yes, we aim to recycle as much of the collected waste as possible. Our team sorts through the waste to ensure recyclable materials are separated and processed accordingly.
Q: How much does skip hire cost?
A: The cost of hiring a skip depends on the size of skip that you need, what type of waste you need to dispose of, and where you will place the skip. At Peak Waste Recycling Ltd, skip hire prices start from as low as £190 + VAT. Our smallest skip holds approximately 40 bags of rubbish. We offer a range of skip sizes to suit all needs. Our skips page shows the price for each of the skips we offer.
Note: If you wish to place the skip on a public road outside your house, you will need a permit from your local council. Peak Waste will arrange this for you but require 7 days notice before desired delivery date so that the council can process the permit. Different local councils charge the following amounts:
- Derbyshire County Council £75+vat.
- Derby City £75+vat
- Nottingham £75+ vat.
- Stafford £75+vat
Q: What payment methods do you accept?
A: We offer payment by credit/debit cards (excluding Amex). Detailed payment information will be given during the booking process.
Q: Are there any additional fees?
A: Additional fees may apply for skip permits, extended hire periods, or if prohibited items are found in the skip. All additional fees will be clearly communicated to you during the booking process.
Q: What should I do if my skip is full before the hire period ends?
A: If your skip is full before the hire period ends, simply contact us to arrange an early collection or a skip exchange.
Q: Do you offer commercial skip hire?
A: Yes, we provide skip hire services for both residential and commercial clients. Contact us for tailored solutions to meet your business needs.
Q: How can I contact customer support?
A: You can reach our customer support team by calling 01335 342 276.