It is important to be aware of what is safe to throw into your skip. You have a legal 'Duty of Care' for your waste and there are regulations in place that make you responsible for its proper disposal. You can face a hefty fine for illegal dumping, however unintentional, so it's best to find out the best way to handle different kinds of waste. Building Materials Most skips are designed to hold soil, bricks and other dense materials. However, some of the larger skips shouldn't be filled with heavy items like bricks or concrete as the combined weight of the skip and its contents would make it impossible to lift. Large quantities of plasterboard should also not be disposed of in a skip, as it can become a powder during the recycling process, which can harm workers at the recycling plant. Household Waste Essentially anything that could pose a health risk should not be placed into an open skip. It is not advised to put food or animal droppings into your skip as this can attract pests, nor is it wise to dump any medical or biological waste which could be harmful. Toxic/Hazardous Material There are a lot of household items that seem harmless but can cause serious health issues if left exposed in an open skip. Paint cans seem like they can be thrown in along with bricks but some varieties can produce fumes that are dangerous to inhale. Also, oil and corrosive liquids should not be disposed of in a skip, as a leak can lead to a serious accident on the road. As for materials like asbestos or fridges and freezers, which contain noxious gases, they can be dumped in enclosed/covered skips on offer from some skip hire companies, which can be locked for extra security. If you are unsure of what to do with toxic items, your skip hire company or local council should be able to advise you on how to dispose of your waste safely. Ensure Your Waste Is In The Right Hands It is your legal responsibly to transfer your waste to someone qualified and authorised to handle it. You must also provide a description of your skip's contents to prevent any incidents once your skip is out of your hands.
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