Why is it Important To Avoid Overloading a Skip?

Skip hire is a great way to dispose of large amounts of waste without the hassle of multiple trips to the local authority site. Whether you’re tackling some renovations at home or you’re a commercial contractor, the work you carry out will no doubt create lots of heavy waste. But while it can be tempting to throw as much into a skip as you possibly can, it’s important to avoid overloading a skip.

This month, at SCS Waste, we’re going to explain in more detail why it’s important not to overfill your skip, as well as providing advice on how to select the right skip size to avoid having to do so in the first place.

Why you shouldn’t overload a skip

There are quite a few reasons why you should never overload a skip, but here are some of the most important ones to note:

• You could be fined – Depending on the skip company you use, you could be faced with a fine for overfilling the skip. Alternatively, they may refuse to take the skip away and charge you for the extra time that you end up having to keep the skip.
• Too heavy to lift – Skip vehicles are designed to take heavy loads, but all skips have their weight capacity limits. If you overfill a skip, it’ll likely be too heavy to lift safely onto the vehicle. It also poses a risk while on the vehicle if over the weight limit.
• Risk of items falling out – There’s a reason skips have a fill line, and that’s because anything above the lines is at risk of falling out once on the skip vehicle. Your waste could end up strewn about the road and could create a hazard for other road users.
• Overhanging items could cause injury – Safety is paramount when it comes to waste, so when your items overhang the edge of the skip, it puts people at risk – whether that’s your neighbours, pedestrians or passing vehicles. This is why it’s important to confine your waste to the inside of the skip instead of trying to overfill it at the edges.

Where is the fill line on a skip?

The fill line on a skip can usually be found on the inside of the container itself or it may be written on the outside – it depends on which company you use. It’s always wise, however, to ensure your waste does not go over the top edges of the skip as this is usually where most maximum fill levels are on skips. Anything over that top lip of the skip will more than likely see your waste refused.

Choosing the right skip size

The most effective thing you can do when it comes to avoiding overloading your skip is to choose the right size in the first place. Not only will selecting the right skip size mean you won’t end up falling foul of the things we’ve already spoken about in this piece, but it will also mean you aren’t wasting money.

Choose a skip that is too small for your requirements and you’ll no doubt end up having to hire a second one. If you do decide to try and overfill your skip to avoid this, the skip company may refuse to remove it – which could also mean extra charges.

At SCS Waste, we have a handy skip size calculator to help you work out what the best skip size is for the amount of waste you think you’ll generate. Simply enter the amount – using an approximate number of bags – and get an instant answer. A good rule of thumb is to slightly overestimate to avoid being caught short, since it’s ultimately better to have too much room than too little.

Skip hire from SCS Waste

When you need local skip hire in Bognor Regis and the surrounding areas, look no further than SCS Waste. We have over 20 years of experience and are licensed waste carriers, which means you can trust us to take care of your waste. 

Our skip sizes cover every need, with 2-12 yard skips in our standard sizes and 15-35 yards in our roll on roll off skips. We even offer wait and load skip hire if you need a swift service or if you can’t get a permit to place a skip in the road outside your property.

We make skip hire easy with our skip size calculator and online skip ordering, but if you need to discuss the type of waste you’re looking to get rid of, or if you’re concerned about overfilling the skip you have, then don’t hesitate to call us.