Skip Bins: Allowed and Prohibited Items
Skip bins are ideal for managing large volumes of waste from cleanouts, renovations, construction, and events — but knowing what can and can't go in is essential. Follow this guide to avoid delays, extra charges, and environmental harm.
What Can Go in a Skip Bin
Waster skip bins can accept a wide range of non-hazardous materials. Depending on the service type and region, these typically include:
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General household and commercial waste: old furniture, toys, clothes, appliances, non-hazardous items.
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Construction and demolition materials: concrete, bricks, timber, metals, and similar debris.
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Green waste: garden clippings, branches, leaves, soil — typically accepted in organic-capable bins.
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Office and commercial cleanouts: paper, cardboard (when included), general non-hazardous items.
Waster also offers specific bin content options — e.g., General Waste, Clean Concrete, Clean Bricks, Timber Only — to suit different types of waste and assist with sorting.
What Can’t Go in a Skip Bin
Some materials are restricted either due to environmental concerns, safety risks, or processing limitations. Waster’s skip bins cannot accept the following:
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Hazardous materials: paint, chemicals, asbestos, batteries, medical or biohazard waste.
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Electronics and e-waste: computers, TVs, and other electronic items that require special recycling.
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Flammable or explosive items: gas bottles, fuels, and other dangerous materials.
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Oversized or extremely heavy items: heavy appliances or machinery parts that exceed safe handling capacity.
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Special extras (region-dependent): In some areas (e.g. Sunshine Coast), materials like carpet, mattresses, rubber flooring, synthetic turf, and foam may attract extra charges or rejection.
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Weight limits exceeded: Waster bins include fair use weight categories, and excess kg are charged extras.
Household Tips
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Choose the right bin size — Waster offers options from 2m³ to 10m³, depending on the project scope.
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Sort waste in advance based on content types (e.g. concrete, timber, general) for faster processing and to avoid penalties.
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Check regional rules — some areas may charge for restricted items or reject bins outright if they contain prohibited materials.
Business and Construction Site Tips
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Clearly label bins by content — General Waste, Clean Concrete, Timber Only, etc.—to streamline disposal.
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Train staff on prohibited items — especially hazardous, e-waste, or contaminated materials.
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Monitor weight limits and densities to avoid excess weight charges. Weight brackets vary — e.g., 60 kg/m³ (offices) up to 150 kg/m³ (heavy categories).
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Use Waster’s PDF guides to help staff choose the right skip for the job.
Quick Reference Table
| Allowed Items | Prohibited Items |
|---|---|
| Office waste, general cleanouts | Hazardous materials, paint, asbestos |
| Furniture, toys, appliances (non-hazardous) | E-waste like TVs or computers |
| Construction debris (concrete, bricks, timber) | Flammable or explosive items |
| Green waste (garden clippings, soil) | Oversized/heavy machinery parts |
| Paper, cardboard (if included) | Region-specific items: mattresses, carpets, foam, etc. |
Best Practices Summary
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Match the bin and content type to your waste—General, Concrete, Timber, etc.
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Avoid mixing prohibited items — even small amounts can lead to rejection or charges.
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Monitor bin weight to stay within category limits and avoid extra fees.
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Train your team on correct waste sorting procedures.
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Use Waster’s downloadable guides for easy reference and compliance.
Conclusion: Smart Skip Bin Use
Skip bins are a convenient and cost-effective solution for large-scale waste — but only when used correctly. Knowing what’s allowed and what’s not prevents delays, extra charges, and protects your waste streams from contamination or rejection.
👉 Explore Waster’s skip bin disposal services in our online shop.
Download Now: Free PDF Business Owners Guide To General Waste Bin Services