Hiring a skip bin is one of the most effective ways to handle large quantities of excess waste. Whether you’re renovating a bedroom, clearing out your shed or undertaking an entire construction project, there’s a waste disposal solution for you.
Maximising your skip bin takes a level of organisational skill. There’s more to it than just tossing in the waste and hoping for the best. If you’re not yet a master of “waste Tetris”, there are some easy tricks and techniques you can implement to ensure that no space goes unused and you never risk an unsafe or overfilled bin again.
Tips to Fit More in Your Skip Bin
1. Choose the Right Bin Size First
Overfilling a skip bin is unsafe and poses several risks, including objects falling out and harming passersby. There are also potential transportation hazards and legal issues, and that’s before the infiltration of unwanted pests like rats, mice or insects.
That’s why choosing the right size bin is absolutely crucial. Start by estimating how much waste you need to dispose of, familiarise yourself with skip bin sizes and choose one that matches your project scope. Here’s a rough guide you can follow:
- 2m³: Great for garden waste or small house cleanups
- 4m³-6m³: Best for small renovation projects such as kitchen refits
- Over 9m³: Ideal for larger construction projects or whole-home clear-outs
When in doubt, or between sizes, always go for the larger option. It’s more cost-effective than ordering a second bin mid-project and ensures maximum safety.
2. Break Down Bulky Items
To maximise space in your skip bin, always break down bulky items rather than throwing them in whole. Items such as furniture, boxes, and green waste can usually be dismantled or condensed much smaller than you’d expect.
Use tools such as a sledgehammer or saw to help dismantle furniture and cut branches into more manageable lengths before disposing of them to avoid taking up unnecessary space.
3. Flatten, Fold, and Compress
Skip bins can fill up quickly when soft goods aren’t compressed. Flatten cardboard boxes to remove air pockets, fold textiles tightly and compress soft items like cushions to help you fit significantly more into your bin.
4. Load Heavy Items First
A little planning can go a long way when it comes to making the most of your skip bin. The best-loaded skip bins follow the “base loading principle”. This essentially means loading the heaviest and flattest items at the bottom to allow for maximum waste disposal.
Start by placing objects like bricks and concrete right at the bottom of the skip bin. You can also add any flat materials here to provide a stable base for layering, such as tabletops or plywood. Once all your heavier items are in the bin, you can continue stacking other rubbish on top.
5. Fill Gaps Strategically
For a fun take on waste management, transform your skip bin into a game of Tetris. Instead of tossing items in randomly, stack items neatly and think about how each piece can fit together to avoid any wasted space.
Use small items such as books or toys to fill awkward gaps between bulkier objects, rather than just continuing to pile higher and higher.
6. Stack Like Items Together
Stacking items of similar shapes and sizes on top of or near each other will result in a more organised, less chaotic skip bin. For example, if you have a pile of bricks you need to dispose of, lining these up along the bottom of your bin rather than disposing of them sporadically can help you maximise space and create a solid base for further waste disposal.
Containing soft items such as clothing in a box or bag can keep them compact and prevent them from taking up unnecessary space.
7. Avoid Prohibited Items
Not everything belongs in a skip bin. Anything deemed as hazardous materials cannot be placed inside due to safety and environmental concerns. This includes items like paints, solvents, liquids, food, rotten materials and asbestos.
In some areas, extra fees may apply for the disposal of mattresses, televisions, tyres, and computer monitors. Contact the Best Price Skip Bins team to find out if your area is exempt or liable for these charges.
Failure to follow these hazardous waste guidelines can result in fines, safety issues and even refused collection. If you do need to dispose of any of these waste types, contact your local council for advice.
8. Don’t Overfill Past the Rim
The golden rule when it comes to packing a skip bin is not to fill past the rim. Doing so can lead to serious safety hazards, legal issues or fines.
If you notice the rubbish coming close to the top of the bin and you still have a way to go, contact your skip bin hire company. They can offer solutions for additional bins or larger capacities to ensure your skip bin remains safe and compliant.
9. Consider Bin Weight Limits
When filling a skip bin, it’s not just about how much you can squeeze into the available space, weight matters too.
The standard weight limit for green and general waste skip bins is 150kg per cubic metre, and additional costs apply if this is exceeded, even if the bin isn’t filled to the rim. There are no weight limits for mixed waste, concrete and dirt/soil bins.
Always check the weight limits before you start filling your bin to avoid overloading and any unnecessary costs.
10. Call the Experts if Unsure
If you have questions about the most suitable skip bin for your project, need more practical tips on how best to fill a skip bin correctly, or want to learn more about waste types, speak to a waste disposal expert.
A trusted skip bin company will offer clear guidance on when you need to upgrade to a larger bin or may suggest multiple bins for different waste types. The team at Best Price Skip Bins can be contacted 7 days a week via phone (1300 79 11 32) or email (info@bestpriceskipbins.com.au).
Pack Smarter, Dispose Safer
With a little bit of planning and a few simple techniques, you can fit even more into your waste bin without the risk of overfilling.
Always choose the right size bin for the job, break down large items, load heavy items at the base and avoid disposing of hazardous materials.
Need help getting started with hiring a skip bin today? Contact Best Price Skip Bins for affordable skip bin hire tailored to your project’s needs.