What Can Go
In a Southampton Skip?
A full guide to permitted and prohibited waste types for skip hire in Southampton. Not sure about a specific item? Call us and we will advise in under a minute.
Call us on 02381 290 835 — we will advise in under a minute.
Accepted Items
These materials can go in our skips
Grass cuttings, branches, leaves, soil, turf — all accepted.
Everyday rubbish from a house clearance or renovation.
Old pipes, rebar, steel, tin — collected and recycled.
Heavy material — consider a 4 or 6 yard skip for soil-heavy loads.
Clean bricks, blocks, stone, and paving slabs.
A general mix of non-hazardous demolition material.
Floorboards, joists, pallets, fencing, furniture frames.
Packaging, piping, cladding — no chemical containers.
Broken concrete, tarmac, and construction debris.
Loose paper, boxes, and packaging material.
Dense material — best suited to a smaller skip to avoid overloading.
Not Accepted
These items are prohibited — do not place in a skip
Contact a licensed asbestos removal contractor — specialist disposal required.
Car batteries and household batteries — take to a local recycling point.
Fridges, washing machines, TVs — these require WEEE (electrical waste) disposal.
Contain mercury — take to a household waste recycling centre.
Any substance classified as hazardous — do not mix with general waste.
Return to supplier or contact your local council for collection options.
Requires separate disposal due to sulphate compounds — call us for guidance.
Any vehicle tyres including car, van, and motorcycle — take to a tyre retailer or HWRC.
Classed as hazardous — many council HWRCs accept small quantities.
Syringes, sharps, and clinical waste require specialist licensed disposal.
No liquids in skips — including used cooking oil, chemicals, or wastewater.
Your Waste,
Responsibly Handled
All skip waste from Southampton and surrounding areas is processed at our licensed Nursling Recycling Facility. We sort, recover, and recycle everything we can — diverting 95%+ from landfill, far exceeding the national average.
Registered with the Environment Agency · Hampshire County Council Approved
What About
Mixed Loads?
A mix of accepted materials in one skip is completely fine. Most house clearances and renovation projects involve a combination of garden waste, timber, metal, and general rubbish — that is exactly what our skips are designed for.
The main thing to be aware of is weight. Heavy materials like soil, concrete, and bricks fill a skip's weight allowance far faster than their volume suggests. If more than 25% of your load is heavy material, we recommend choosing a builder's skip (8 yard) rather than a larger container — or splitting the load across two hires.
A 6 yard skip full of soil or concrete can weigh over 6 tonnes. Always mention if your load is predominantly heavy material when you call — we will recommend the right skip size and advise on weight limits.
FAQs
Can I put furniture in a skip?
Yes, most furniture is accepted including sofas, tables, chairs, wardrobes, and beds. Remove any mattresses if possible as these require separate disposal. Flat-pack and solid wood furniture is fine.
Can I mix different types of waste in a skip?
Yes, mixed loads of accepted waste are perfectly fine. You can combine garden waste, household waste, timber, bricks, and general rubbish in the same skip — as long as all items are on our accepted list.
What happens to the waste collected from skips?
All waste we collect is processed at our licensed Nursling Recycling Facility in Southampton. We divert 95%+ of all material from landfill — far exceeding the national average. This means your waste is sorted, recycled, or recovered wherever possible.
What if I am not sure whether an item can go in the skip?
Call us on 02381 290 835 and we will advise straight away. We would rather you check first than have a prohibited item cause problems. Our team knows exactly what can and cannot be processed at our facility.
Can I put plasterboard in a skip?
No. Plasterboard must be disposed of separately due to the sulphate compounds it contains, which cause harmful gases when mixed with biodegradable waste. Call us on 02381 290 835 and we can advise on the best disposal route for your plasterboard.
Is soil very heavy — does it affect which skip size I need?
Yes. Soil is extremely dense — a fully loaded skip of soil can exceed 10 tonnes. We recommend using a 4 or 6 yard skip for soil-heavy loads, and filling the rest separately. If your project involves both soil and lighter general waste, consider ordering two smaller skips rather than one large one.
Ready to Book Your Skip?
Call for an instant quote or fill in the form — we will call you back within the hour.
Mon–Fri 07:00–17:00 · Sat 07:00–12:00