Skip Bin Waste Types Guide
Everything you need to know about what can and can't go in a skip bin. Choose the right waste type to save money and help the environment.
Understanding Skip Bin Waste Types
Choosing the correct waste type for your skip bin is essential. It affects your pricing, ensures proper recycling, and helps you avoid additional charges. Australia has strict waste disposal regulations, and understanding these categories helps everyone.
Lower Costs
Correct waste sorting can save you up to 30% on disposal fees
Better Recycling
Proper sorting means more materials get recycled, not landfilled
Avoid Penalties
Incorrect waste can result in rejected loads and extra charges
All Skip Bin Waste Types
Click on any waste type to learn more about accepted items, prohibited materials, and recommended bin sizes.
General waste skip bins are perfect for mixed household rubbish from spring cleaning, moving house, or decluttering. This includes items that cannot be recycled or composted and would typically go to landfill.
Accepted Items
- Household rubbish and general trash
- Clothing and textiles
- Non-recyclable plastics
- Broken toys and household items
- Old furniture (non-mattress)
- Carpets and underlay
- Packaging materials
- Old appliances (non-electrical)
- Paper and cardboard (mixed)
- Rubber and foam products
Prohibited Items
- Hazardous chemicals
- Asbestos materials
- Batteries and electronics
- Paint and solvents
- Medical waste
- Food waste
- Liquid waste
- Gas bottles
Recommended Sizes
Pro Tips
- • Break down large items to maximize space
- • Remove any hazardous materials before disposal
- • Separate recyclables if possible for lower costs
Green waste skip bins are the eco-friendly choice for garden clean-ups, landscaping projects, and tree lopping. All green waste is processed at specialized facilities and turned into mulch or compost, making this the most sustainable waste disposal option.
Accepted Items
- Grass clippings and lawn cuttings
- Tree branches and twigs (under 150mm)
- Leaves and garden prunings
- Shrubs and bushes
- Plant material and flowers
- Bark and wood chips
- Palm fronds
- Small tree stumps
- Untreated timber offcuts
- Straw and hay
Prohibited Items
- Treated or painted timber
- Soil and dirt
- Rocks and stones
- General waste
- Plastic bags and pots
- Food scraps
- Animal waste
- Large tree stumps (over 300mm)
Recommended Sizes
Pro Tips
- • Cut branches to manageable sizes for better compaction
- • Remove any plastic ties or garden pots
- • Green waste bins are often cheaper than general waste
Construction and demolition skip bins are designed for building sites, renovation projects, and demolition work. These bins can handle a wide variety of building materials and are ideal for both residential and commercial construction projects.
Accepted Items
- Timber and wood offcuts
- Plasterboard and gyprock
- Tiles and ceramics
- Bricks and masonry (limited)
- Metal sheets and frames
- PVC pipes and fittings
- Insulation materials (non-asbestos)
- Windows and glass (boxed safely)
- Doors and frames
- Roofing materials (non-asbestos)
Prohibited Items
- Asbestos (any type)
- Hazardous chemicals
- Paint tins with contents
- Heavy concrete (use mixed heavy)
- Soil and fill (use clean fill)
- Gas bottles
- Batteries
- Food waste
Recommended Sizes
Pro Tips
- • Stack flat items like plasterboard vertically to save space
- • Notify provider if waste contains significant brick or concrete
- • Consider a mixed heavy bin for concrete and brick
- • Check if your renovation materials contain asbestos before disposal
Mixed heavy waste skip bins are specifically designed for dense, heavy materials that exceed the weight limits of standard bins. These bins have reinforced construction and are priced based on weight rather than volume.
Accepted Items
- Concrete and cement
- Bricks and pavers
- Tiles and ceramics
- Sand and gravel
- Rock and stone
- Soil (with debris)
- Asphalt
- Heavy demolition rubble
- Dense building materials
Prohibited Items
- General waste
- Green waste
- Timber and wood
- Plasterboard
- Metal
- Asbestos
- Hazardous materials
- Liquids
Recommended Sizes
Pro Tips
- • Do not overfill - weight limits apply strictly
- • Smaller bins are recommended due to weight
- • Consider separating clean fill for lower costs
- • Check weight limits before ordering
Clean fill skip bins are for uncontaminated natural materials that can be reused for land filling, leveling, and construction purposes. This waste type has strict requirements - materials must be completely free of any foreign objects or contaminants.
Accepted Items
- Clean soil (no debris)
- Sand
- Clay
- Rock and stone
- Gravel
- Clean excavation material
Prohibited Items
- Contaminated soil
- Soil with rocks mixed
- Grass roots or vegetation
- Any building materials
- Concrete or bricks
- Metal or wire
- Plastic or glass
- Treated timber
- General waste
Recommended Sizes
Pro Tips
- • Materials must be 100% clean with no debris
- • Contaminated loads may be rejected or charged extra
- • Often the cheapest disposal option due to reuse potential
- • Ideal for excavation and earthmoving projects
Household and furniture skip bins are ideal for bulky item removal that regular council pickup cannot handle. Perfect for spring cleaning, moving house, or clearing out deceased estates. These bins can accept a wide range of household items.
Accepted Items
- Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- Mattresses and bed frames
- White goods (fridges, washers)
- Electronics (TVs, computers)
- Clothing and textiles
- Books and magazines
- Kitchenware and utensils
- Children toys and equipment
- Exercise equipment
- Storage containers and boxes
Prohibited Items
- Hazardous chemicals
- Paint and solvents
- Batteries (lithium especially)
- Gas bottles
- Fluorescent tubes
- Medical waste
- Food waste
- Asbestos
Recommended Sizes
Pro Tips
- • Remove doors from appliances for safety
- • Disassemble furniture to save space
- • Stack flat items and fill gaps with smaller items
- • Some items may qualify for recycling programs
Recyclable materials skip bins help maximize resource recovery and minimize landfill. Ideal for businesses, warehouses, and large commercial operations that generate significant quantities of recyclable packaging and materials.
Accepted Items
- Cardboard (flattened)
- Paper and office paper
- Steel and aluminum cans
- Metal offcuts and scrap
- Rigid plastics (#1, #2, #5)
- Glass bottles and jars
- Wooden pallets (untreated)
- Clean packaging materials
Prohibited Items
- Contaminated recyclables
- Soft plastics and bags
- Styrofoam and foam
- Food-contaminated materials
- Hazardous materials
- Liquids
- Ceramics and mirrors
- General waste
Recommended Sizes
Pro Tips
- • Keep materials clean and dry
- • Flatten boxes to maximize space
- • Separate metal from other materials if possible
- • May qualify for discounted rates
Timber and wood waste skip bins accept clean timber products for recycling. Untreated wood can be chipped for mulch, used in composite products, or converted to biomass energy. A sustainable choice for carpentry, demolition, and pallet disposal.
Accepted Items
- Untreated timber offcuts
- Wooden pallets
- MDF and chipboard
- Plywood (non-treated)
- Timber furniture
- Wooden crates and boxes
- Timber frames and beams
- Hardwood and softwood
Prohibited Items
- Treated or painted timber
- CCA-treated pine (green timber)
- Creosote-treated wood
- Laminated timber
- Wood with nails/screws (excessive)
- Mixed materials
- Composite decking
- Engineered stone
Recommended Sizes
Pro Tips
- • Remove excessive metal hardware
- • Cut long pieces for better stacking
- • Treated timber must go in general waste
- • Check for green tinge indicating CCA treatment
Bin Size Guide by Waste Type
Quick reference guide to help you choose the right bin size for your waste type
| Size | Capacity | Best For | Waste Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2m³ | 2-3 trailer loads | Small cleanups, bathroom renos | General Green Clean Fill Mixed Heavy |
| 3m³ | 4-5 trailer loads | Kitchen renos, garden cleanups | General Green Household |
| 4m³ | 6-8 trailer loads | Home renos, office clearances | All Types |
| 6m³ | 10-12 trailer loads | Major renos, construction | Construction Household Timber |
| 8m³ | 14-16 trailer loads | Commercial, demolition | Construction General |
| 10m³ | 18-20 trailer loads | Major construction, industrial | Construction Commercial |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about skip bin waste types answered
What are the different types of skip bin waste?
The main skip bin waste types are: General Waste (household rubbish), Green Waste (garden materials), Construction & Demolition (building materials), Mixed Heavy (concrete, bricks), Clean Fill (soil, sand), Household & Furniture (bulky items), Recyclables, and Timber/Wood Waste. Each type has specific accepted and prohibited items.
Can I mix different waste types in one skip bin?
Generally, no. Mixing waste types increases disposal costs and prevents recycling. General waste bins can accept some mixed items, but specialized bins (green waste, clean fill, heavy waste) must contain only the specified materials. Mixed loads may be rejected or charged at higher rates.
What items are prohibited in all skip bins?
Items prohibited in all skip bins include: asbestos, hazardous chemicals, paint and solvents, gas bottles, batteries (especially lithium), medical waste, liquid waste, and any toxic or dangerous materials. These require specialized disposal services.
Which waste type is cheapest to dispose of?
Clean fill is typically the cheapest waste type as it can be reused for construction purposes. Green waste is also economical as it is composted. Mixed heavy waste and construction waste tend to be more expensive due to processing requirements.
How do I know what size skip bin I need?
A 2-3m³ bin suits small cleanups (2-3 trailer loads). A 4m³ bin is most popular for home renovations (6-8 trailer loads). 6-8m³ bins are ideal for major projects, and 10m³ bins are best for construction and commercial jobs.
Can I put electronics and appliances in a skip bin?
Yes, most electronics and appliances can go in household or general waste bins. However, remove batteries first, and note that some items like fridges may incur additional fees due to refrigerant gas removal requirements. TVs with tubes may also have extra charges.
Items Never Allowed in Skip Bins
These items require specialized disposal and are prohibited in ALL skip bin types
Requires licensed disposal
Pesticides, poisons, acids
LPG, propane cylinders
Especially lithium batteries
Liquid chemicals
Syringes, medications
Vehicle tyres
Oils, fuels, chemicals
Contact your local council or EPA for proper disposal options for these materials.
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