Skip size guide
When hiring a skip, choosing the right size is crucial to make sure that you get the most cost-effective and efficient solution for your project. Whether you’re looking for mini skip hire for a small clean-up or need a large skip hire for a significant renovation, choosing the correct skip size can save you both time and money. This guide breaks down the different skip sizes available, helping you make an informed decision based on the amount and type of waste you need to dispose of. Let's explore our options available for domestic skip hire and commercial skip hire, covering flexible skip sizes, RoRo containers and regular business collections with same-day delivery where needed.
FIRST-TIME SKIP HIRE?
Hiring a skip for the first time is simple. Start by choosing the right size for your project—mini, midi, or large. If the skip will be placed on a public road, a council permit may be required. Pricing depends on size, hire duration, and waste type. Make sure there’s enough space for safe and easy delivery.
Need help choosing?
Our team can guide you to the right skip for home clearances, renovations, or commercial projects—at a competitive price. Get in touch today 0330 633 1972 or info@gbskiphire.com
We try to offer same-day delivery on all skips where we can. However, if your skip is going on the road, we may need to wait until your council has issued a permit, which can take three working days or more.
Every hire is different – we need to think about skip size, mileage, where your skip will go and if you need a permit for it. Call us now on 0330 633 1972 to get the best price for your needs.
See our chart for a general guide. Better still, phone us on 0330 633 1972 with your needs and we’ll make sure you get the right size skip for your project. Skips fill up quickly, so we might suggest you get a slightly larger skip. In the end, hiring one large skip will be better value than hiring two smaller ones.
The contents of your skip must not come above the edge. This ‘level loading’ makes loads safe and legal to transport.
You can use your skip to dispose of:
- Baths, basins, sinks and toilets
- Bricks, concrete and rubble (in smaller skips only)
- Furniture
- Garden waste and non-contaminated soil (in smaller skips only)
- Metals
- Paper and cardboard
- Plastics
- Wood
Please don’t put any of these in your skip – by law, you must dispose of them separately:
- Aerosols and gas canisters
- Asbestos
- Batteries
- Contaminated soil
- Fluorescent tubes
- Fridges and freezers
- Mattresses
- Oils
- Paints and solvents (including leftover paint in tins)
- TV and computer screens and electronic equipment
- Tyres
We can arrange separate collection for these items if you wish. Or contact your local council to find out how to dispose of these items safely and legally.
CLICK HERE to see the full list of waste items we cannot accept in our skips. Still unsure? Call us for advice on 0330 633 1972.
On private land:
You need to place your skip where it is easy for our lorry to load and unload. If the site is up a narrow lane or steep hill and you think access may be a problem, please tell us when you hire the skip.
When full, your skip may be very heavy – a regular skip filled with soil can weigh up to 10 tonnes – and could damage your driveway or garden when it is lifted. You may prefer to put it on the road, see below.
On the road:
If you have a council permit, you can site the skip on the road outside your property. You might not be able to do this if your property is on a busy or narrow street. In this case, it may be better for you to use our wait and load service.
If your skip will fit in your front garden or driveway, you don’t need a permit. But if it is going on the road, you do need a permit from your local council. We can arrange this for you. They will charge a small fee which we include in the price of your hire. Different councils set different time limits on permits – either 7, 14 or 28 days.
We normally hire skips for 14 days, but we can usually extend this if you need longer and if we have enough skips available. If you extend your hire, you may also need to extend your council permit.
SPECIALIST SKIP HIRE
GB Recycling Group offers a range of specialist skips for hire, including:
ENCLOSED SKIP HIRE
Lockable, enclosed skips offer security and peace of mind by:
Our enclosed skips, with easy-to-use hatches and locks, are available in 10, 12 and 14 yard sizes. Enclosed skips are suitable for moving asbestos as part of hazardous waste management – call us for more details.
DROP-DOOR SKIP HIRE
Drop-door skips offer walk-in wheelbarrow access and are ideal for removing garden hardcore, soil and building waste. Our drop door skips are available in 6 and 8 yard sizes. They are not suitable for use with glass or hazardous waste
CRANE-TESTED SKIP HIRE
Crane tested skips have special handles which mean they can be moved safely with a crane, to comply with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER). They are ideal for use on large building and demolition sites. Our crane-tested skips are available in 6 and 8 yard sizes.
COMPACTOR SKIP HIRE
Compactor skips reduce large volumes of waste, saving you time and money on collection. Compactors are usually hired for permanent use, for example Mile End Hospital has a compactor emptied twice a week which is full of black bag waste. We usually draw up a contract as compactors are purpose-built for each site. Compactors can be supplied with either chain-lift or roll-on roll-off mechanism. To minimise disruption, all compactor empties happen on turn around, for example, however long it takes from site to the closest of our waste transfer stations. This is rarely longer than an hour. Call GB Recycling Group now on 0330 633 1972 for all your specialist skip hire needs.
OUR 4 YARD, SMALL SKIP IS IDEAL FOR:
- kitchen and bathroom refits
- small household projects
- clearing rubbish from garage
- garden clearance
- finishing off a larger job
A single 4 yard skip is ideal for most small projects and multiple 4 yard skips can be used for larger jobs where access is difficult.
YOU CAN PUT MOST KINDS OF WASTE IN A 4 YARD SKIP, INCLUDING:
- soil/inert material
- hardcore
- mixed construction waste
- household waste
4 YARD SKIP SIZE AND DIMENSIONS:
Volume: 3.05 cubic metres / 4 cubic yards
Approx Bin bags: 30 – 40
Height: 0.972 m / 3ft
Length: 1.83 m / 5.9 ft
Width: 1.29 m / 4.33 ft
6 YARD SKIP – IDEAL FOR:
Medium-sized household projects and removing bricks, soil, and general site waste. Suitable for small to medium clearances where space is limited but capacity is needed.
SUITABLE WASTE:
Soil, hardcore, mixed construction waste, and general household waste.
SPECIALIST OPTIONS:
Drop-door skips – easy wheelbarrow access for heavy materials like soil and hardcore
Crane-tested skips – reinforced for safe lifting on construction and demolition sites (LOLER compliant)
DIMENSIONS:
Volume: 6 cubic yards / 4.58 m³
Capacity: Approx. 50–60 bin bags
Height: 1.22m (4ft)
Length: 2.6m (8.5ft)
Width: 1.52m (5ft)
8 YARD SKIP – IDEAL FOR:
Larger household projects and removing bricks, soil, and general
site waste. Strong and reliable, suitable for bulky materials and high volumes.
SUITABLE WASTE:
Soil/inert material, hardcore and rubble, mixed construction waste, and general household waste.
Maximum Skip Sizr for heavy materials (hardcore/soil):
Can be used for heavy waste but should be evenly loaded and not overfilled to avoid exceeding safe weight limits
SPECIALIST OPTIONS:
Drop-door skips – walk-in access for easy loading with wheelbarrows, ideal for soil and hardcore
Crane-tested skips – reinforced and LOLER-compliant for safe lifting on construction and demolition sites
DIMENSIONS:
Volume: 8 cubic yards / 6.11 m³
Capacity: Approx. 60–80 bin bags
Height: 1.22m (4ft)
Length: 3.66m (11ft)
Width: 1.68m (5.5ft)
Note: When loading heavy materials like soil or hardcore, avoid overfilling and keep weight evenly
10 YARD SKIP – IDEAL FOR:
Large house clearances, bulky items, and mixed construction waste such as plasterboard, doors, and wooden beams.
SUITABLE WASTE:
General household and mixed construction waste.
Not suitable for heavy materials such as soil, hardcore, or inert waste—these should be disposed of using smaller skips (e.g. 6 or 8 yard). Contact us for guidance.
(LIGHT WASTE ONLY – NO HEAVY MATERIALS/WASTE)
SPECIALIST ENCLOSED SKIPS:
Suitable for asbestos transport (with correct handling)
Help prevent theft of recyclable materials
Reduce dust and contain waste securely
Improve site safety and support Duty of Care compliance
DIMENSIONS:
Volume: 10 cubic yards / 7.64 m³
Capacity: Approx. 80–90 bin bags
Height: 1.5m (4.9ft)
Length: 3.74m (12ft)
Width: 1.78m (5.8ft)
12 YARD SKIP – IDEAL FOR:
Large house clearances, bulky items, and mixed construction waste such as plasterboard, fence panels, and furniture.
SUITABLE WASTE:
Light, bulky materials and general construction waste.
(LIGHT WASTE ONLY – NO HEAVY MATERIALS/WASTE)
Not suitable for heavy materials such as soil, hardcore, or inert waste—these should be handled with smaller skips (e.g. 6 or 8 yard). Contact us for advice if needed.
ENCLOSED 12 YARD SKIPS:
Suitable for asbestos (with correct handling)
Help prevent theft of recyclable materials
Reduce dust and contain waste securely
Support safe site management and Duty of Care compliance
DIMENSIONS:
Volume: 12 cubic yards / 9.17 m³
Capacity: Approx. 100–120 bin bags
Height: 1.5m (4.9ft)
Length: 3.74m (12ft)
Width: 1.78m (5.8ft)
14 YARD SKIP – IDEAL FOR:
Large volumes of light, bulky waste such as furniture, packaging, paper/cardboard, and shop refurbishment materials including wood, plastic, and metal.
SUITABLE WASTE:
Light, oversized general and commercial waste.
Not suitable for heavy materials such as soil, hardcore, or inert waste—these should be disposed of using smaller skips (e.g. 6 or 8 yard). Contact us for advice if needed.
(LIGHT WASTE ONLY – NO HEAVY METERIALS/WASTE)
ENCLOSED 14 YARD SKIPS:
Suitable for asbestos (with correct handling)
Help prevent theft of recyclable materials
Reduce dust and contain waste securely
Support safe site management and Duty of Care compliance
DIMENSIONS:
Volume: 14 cubic yards / 10 m³
Capacity: Approx. 100–120 bin bags
Height: 1.78m (5.8ft)
Length: 3.7m (12ft)
Width 1.75m (5.7ft)
16 YARD SKIP – IDEAL FOR:
Large volumes of light, bulky waste such as furniture, packaging, paper/cardboard, and shop refurbishment materials including wood, plastic, and metal. Best suited where there is ample space and easy access.
SUITABLE WASTE:
Light, oversized general and commercial waste.
Not suitable for heavy materials such as soil, hardcore, or inert waste—these should be handled with smaller skips (e.g. 6 or 8 yard). Contact us for guidance if needed.
DIMENSIONS:
Volume: 12 m³ / 16 cubic yards
Capacity: Approx. 110–130 bin bags
Height: 2m (6.5ft)
Length: 4.3m (14ft)
Width: 1.75m (5.7ft)
Note: 16 yard skips are the largest maxi skips and can be more cost-effective than hiring multiple smaller skips for large volumes of light waste.
20/40 YARD Roll On Roll off, EXTRA-LARGE SKIPS ARE IDEAL FOR:
Large volumes of bulky waste such as furniture, packaging, paper/cardboard, and shop or commercial refurbishment materials including wood, plastic, and metal. Suitable for sites with ample space and easy access.
20 YARD Roll on Roll off SIZE AND DIMENSIONS:
Volume: 15.3 cubic metres
Approx Bin bags: 200
Height: 1.2m / 3.9ft
Length: 6.1m / 20ft
Width: 2.4m / 7.9ft
Ideal for:
- Removing large amounts of light, bulky waste
- Paper or cardboard
- Furniture
- Packaging
- Shop refurbishing jobs with a lot of wood, plastic and metal to remove.
- 20 Yards are allowed stone and soil
20 Yard RoRo’s are the maximum size for soil and hard core.
40 YARD Roll on Roll off SIZE AND DIMENSIONS:
Volume: 30.8 cubic metres
Approx Bin bags: 400
Height: 2.75m / 9ft
Length: 6.3m / 20.5ft
Width: 2.4m / 7.9ft
40-yard Roll On Roll Off are excellent solutions where easy access, and a large area of space is available. Ideally suited for very high volumes of light bulky waste materials.
RoRo skips can be more cost effective than using multiple small skips to remove similar waste.