What You Can and Can’t Put in When Hiring a 6 Yard Skip Size
When it comes to managing waste for medium-sized projects, hiring a skip is a reliable solution. One of the most commonly chosen options is the 6 yard skip size, popular among homeowners, tradespeople, and businesses alike. It strikes the right balance between capacity and convenience, making it suitable for various waste disposal tasks.
This guide covers what you need to know about 6 yard skip size rules, including what’s allowed, what’s not, legal points, and hiring tips.
Understanding the 6 Yard Skip Size
A 6 yard skip size typically holds around 65 black bin bags of waste, making it ideal for moderate renovation projects, large-scale home clear-outs, garden overhauls, or small-scale construction jobs. Its dimensions generally measure around 2.6m long, 1.5m wide, and 1.2m high. While exact sizes may vary slightly by provider, this skip is compact enough to fit on a driveway but spacious enough to handle bulky waste.
This skip size is handy when you’re dealing with mixed waste that includes wood, metal, garden debris, furniture, or plasterboard. However, it's not suitable for hefty waste loads such as soil or rubble in large quantities, as overloading can result in collection issues or safety risks.
What You Can Put in a 6 Yard Skip
The 6 yard skip hire option is incredibly versatile and caters to a wide range of waste types. You’re allowed to dispose of:
- General household waste – Old furniture, packaging, non-electrical appliances, clothes, and general junk.
- Garden waste – Branches, soil (in moderate amounts), leaves, turf, and plants.
- Non-hazardous building materials – Wood, metal, tiles, plasterboard, bricks, and broken bathroom or kitchen units.
- Office or commercial waste – Paper, cardboard, small bits of wood, and non-confidential paperwork.
Always check with your skip provider if you're unsure about an item. Some materials may require special handling or need to be separated before disposal.
What You Cannot Put in a 6 Yard Skip
Although this skip size allows for a broad range of waste types, there are clear limits. Placing restricted items inside your skip can result in the provider refusing collection or charging you extra for sorting and disposal. It's essential to avoid:
- Hazardous materials – Asbestos, paint tins (with liquid), solvents, petrol, oil, and chemicals are not permitted.
- Electricals – Items like fridges, freezers, TVs, and other WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) are not allowed.
- Tyres and batteries – These must be taken to specialist disposal sites.
- Medical or biological waste – Including sharps, medications, and similar items.
Not following these guidelines can not only increase your
6 yard skip price, but also breach environmental regulations, potentially resulting in fines.
Hiring Tips and Legal Considerations
Hiring a skip might seem straightforward, but there are a few legal and logistical points to consider. If the skip is going on private land (e.g., a driveway), no permit is needed. However, if it’s to be placed on public land such as a road or pavement, you’ll need a permit from your local council, which your provider may help arrange. When searching for “6 yard skip hire near me”, make sure to choose a company that is fully licensed and can assist with permit applications, safe drop-off, and collection. Be aware that hiring a skip without the necessary paperwork could result in local authority penalties.
Also, ensure the skip is not overloaded above the rim. This can be dangerous for transport and may delay your waste removal. Never place restricted items inside in an attempt to "hide" them — providers usually inspect skips before collection. To maximise space, break down large items, flatten boxes, and place heavy items at the bottom. This helps prevent overfilling and makes your hire more cost-effective.
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6 yard skip size is one of the most efficient and widely used skip types in the UK, offering the ideal capacity for domestic projects, business renovations, and landscaping jobs. Knowing what can and can't be disposed of helps you stay compliant, avoid extra charges, and ensure your waste is handled responsibly.
At
Skip Hire Preston, we combine professionalism with convenience to make your waste management stress-free. Whether you're working on a property renovation, clearing out a commercial space, or managing an outdoor event, we provide flexible and affordable solutions tailored to your needs.
Our range of skips includes the popular
6 yard skip, delivered and collected on time by our experienced team. We are fully licensed, environmentally responsible, and offer straightforward pricing — no hidden charges. From permits to advice on what goes in your skip, we’re here to help.
With national coverage and a reputation for reliability, Skip Hire Preston is your trusted choice for quality skip hire services. We take the hassle out of waste disposal so you can focus on your project.
We’re proud to provide clear guidance, transparent pricing, and excellent service for every customer — and with us, hiring a skip couldn’t be easier.
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