frequently asked questions
Mini skips are excellent for getting rid of most stuff, but for legal or practical reasons there are several items and materials that cannot be put in a skip and must be disposed of separately. Putting such things in a skip could result in Skipgo refusing to remove it or charging you significantly more and, in certain circumstances, Skipgo and yourself could even be criminally prosecuted if we load and try to dispose of such items.
WHERE TO FIND ALL APPROVED ITEMS
View the tab below for the list of items that will not be accepted by us together with some additional information about why they are prohibited and how else you might dispose of them. However, please note this is just a guide. Always contact us directly if you are unsure.
We have different options available:
Two-day period: – Skip dropped off today and picked up tomorrow.
Weekends: – Skip dropped off on a Friday and picked up on a Monday.
Mid weeks: – Skip dropped off on a Monday and picked up on a Friday.
Full weeks: – Skip dropped off on a Monday and picked up the following Monday.
One month: – Skip dropped off at the beginning of the month and picked up at the end of the month. 12 Month contracts – the Skips stays with you on a permanent basis.
Wait & Load is a service we offer at no extra cost. When the driver delivers the skip, he will then wait for up to an hour while you to fill the skip. It will then be taken away. This eliminates the need to plan for labour at a later stage, and is also ideal if you don’t want a skip to sit at your house/business for an extended period of time.
(T&C's apply. Service not supplied by all agents. Please ask your nearest agent if this service is supplied)
We commit to service every order within 24 hours or at the time specified by our customer. (Dependant on skip availability) Please provide for a 2-hour window for delivery, for example, between 9.00am & 11.00am or 12.00 & 2.00pm. You can request that the driver gives you a phone call when your skip is about to be dispatched; this is usually the most convenient solution for customers. Sometimes same day delivery is possible, please ask and we will try to facilitate your request if possible.
All our Skips have a ‘max fill line’ clearly indicated on the inside of the skip. If the skip is filled above this point it cannot be collected for safety reasons. It is also Illegal for a skip to be loaded with more than 2 tons of rubble. Therefore, the driver will ask you to remove some material before he can lift the skip onto the trailer. Please do not overload the skip.
Remember to give some thought as to how you will fill your skip. Furthermore, place the larger items carefully. This enables you to avoid creating unfilled spaces that stop you from getting the most out of your Skip Hire.
Take note that our skips can only take two cubic meters or a maximum weight of two tons.
Hiring a skip is a practical and cost-effective solution for collecting volumes of waste that are too large, bulky or heavy for disposal by conventional means such as using your domestic refuse bins or taking it by car or bakkie to your local dump site.
Some types of waste are heavy.
The waste generated by garden clearance jobs, such as soil, wood and stones, or the bricks & mortar rubble generated by a small building project can be very heavy. When you hire a skip, it’s important to make sure that you order the size most suitable for the job and you are aware of how much weight a skip can hold. As a rule of thumb, one cubic meter will contain up to one metric tonne (1,000 kilograms) of waste. Putting this into context, one metric tonne = roughly 340 standard house bricks.
WHAT TYPE OF MINI SKIP IS AVAILABLE:
The smallest skip available for hire has a capacity of two cubic meters and will therefore hold up to two tonnes (2,000kg) of waste.
It is vital to remember that when filling a skip, the load must be level. To ensure that you meet this requirement you should ideally choose a skip with a slightly larger capacity than you think the collected waste will require.
The 3 cubic meter Skip: it is also vital to remember that the 3 cubic meter skip payload is ONLY 2500kg and NOT 3000kg. The 3 cubic meter skip is also is for lighter materials such as garden refuse or general waste consisting of branches, grass cuttings, leaves, boxes, card board, paper and plastic.
Our skip is measured in cubic meters. The following skip sizes are available:
2 cubic m (2.4m x 1.3m x 1m)
3 cubic m (2.4m x 1.3m x 1.3m)
We deliver empty skip bins to your home or workplace. Our mini bins come in multiple sizes so you will be able to find the right skip bin for your job. When you’ve finished with the bin, we collect it and dispose of your rubbish.
Are you trying to decide what size skip to hire? If in doubt, we recommend that you choose a larger size skip than you think you might need. It is illegal to overload your skip and you will be charged for the removal of any excess waste if a larger skip is required. So, if you are in any doubt as to what size skip you need to hire, it’s best to go for the bigger size – and save yourself loads of cost and hassle!
WHY MINI SKIPS?
The waste industry has traditionally been dominated by large skip companies. As the industry has change and we all have become more conscious of protecting our environment, the need has arisen for a smaller more convenient skip bin.
The benefits of using a smaller skip are numerous. To help you understand the benefits of mini skips we have given you some examples:
Complexes have strict regulations regarding building and many times a skip on site is required at all times. There is often not enough space to fit a large skip on the premises.
You need a quick turnaround time on removing goods.
We can offer same day service.
Space is often a problem and the smaller mini skips are able to fit in smaller areas and can get closer to the waste.
Industry needs smaller mini skips around their yards to help with productivity on site.
Cost effective.
Certain waste generates bad odour if it is left for too long, so why not have smaller mini skips and rotate them more frequently.
Contact a Skipgo Agent in your area today.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND EQUIPMENT
No appliances or electrical equipment like fridges, freezers, dishwashers or televisions can be put into a skip mixed with “normal” waste. All waste electricals must be taken to a recycling facility and cannot be mixed with other general waste. For electrical equipment disposal contact us in advance.
GAS CYLINDERS
All gas cylinders being accepted by Skipgo for disposal at a controlled waste management facility or scrap metal merchants will be accompanied by a Gas Free Certificate. Gas cylinders are considered hazardous materials and, as such, will not be allowed on dumping sites. Residual contents of a gas cylinder are potentially dangerous and Skipgo are not licensed to remove or transport them.
ASBESTOS MUST NEVER BE MIXED WITH OTHER WASTE IN A SKIP
Asbestos in skips is a big no-no. You must never put asbestos in a skip; it is hazardous and harmful, and the government has implemented certain laws which mean it’s illegal to re-use and recycle any asbestos material, or to dispose of it improperly. Asbestos must be removed by a specialist asbestos removal contractor.
BATTERIES
No type of battery can be put in any skip. Batteries contain various metals and chemicals which mean they must be treated separately, so don’t put batteries in your skip, even small ones. You are better off taking them to battery recycling boxes at your local supermarket or petrol station, or search for your closest battery recycling centre.
Car batteries cannot be thrown away in skips either, because they contain high traces of lead. Lead is extremely poisonous and needs to be treated in a particular way. Try giving your local garage a phone for more advice on disposing of car batteries.
PAINT, SOLVENTS, LIQUIDS and FUEL The same goes for paint, solvents and fuels. These are all chemical compounds, and and our licence does not cover us to dispose of hazardous waste like this, thus they cannot be placed in a skip. Fluorescent lighting tubes contain mercury, another hazardous chemical, so they too cannot just be disposed of into your skip. These items require proper, licensed disposal, and must be taken to waste plants authorised to deal with them.
MEDICAL WASTE
Medical waste must not be disposed of in ordinary skips – it risks infection and contamination, and needs to be dealt with by certain, licensed firms. Anything from used or unused needles to biological waste needs special treatment and is not suitable for skips. Contact the Department of Health for guidance on the proper disposal of medical waste.
TYRES Some tyres need a lot of TLC when being disposed of, and putting them in skips isn’t allowed.