When you think about waste removal services, chances are, recycling, environmental factors, and eco-friendly options might not be the first things that spring to mind. Most people associate skip hire with convenience, speed, and sheer practicality, but not necessarily with sustainability. However, you may find it surprising that many skip hire companies today are actually very green and environmentally conscious. They’ve adapted their services to ensure that domestic and commercial waste is processed responsibly, properly recycled or reused where possible, rather than being sent straight to landfill sites.

This eco-conscious approach couldn’t come at a better time. According to UK estimates, landfill sites could reach capacity within the next 20 to 50 years if waste continues at the current rate. This startling prediction highlights just how important it is to divert waste from landfills and adopt more sustainable habits. Choosing a skip hire company that prioritises the environment is not only a smart move, it’s a necessary one.

The environmental benefits of skip hire

Taking this into account, it makes sense to hire a skip company that acknowledges environmental factors and is actively working to reduce its negative impact. By selecting an eco-conscious provider, you’re not only disposing of your waste responsibly, but you’re also supporting wider efforts to protect the environment. Whether you’re undergoing a house renovation, clearing out a garden, or managing building site debris, it’s worth considering what steps you can take to ensure your waste is recycled wherever possible.

Being eco-friendly doesn’t have to be difficult or costly. In fact, making the decision to recycle and reuse materials wherever you can is often more economical in the long run. Many people are unaware that skip hire itself is one of the most cost-effective waste removal solutions available. This becomes especially true when you factor in the additional costs that the skip company absorbs, such as transportation, fuel, insurance, and the cost of obtaining skip permits from local authorities.

At the same time, skip companies also benefit from recycling. Disposal costs at landfill sites are high, and by diverting materials that can be reused or recycled, businesses can reduce these expenses significantly. This creates a win-win scenario for both customers and providers: you get an affordable waste solution, and the company stays sustainable and efficient.

What can be recycled in a skip?

The amount and type of waste that can be recycled through a skip hire service vary depending on the contents of the skip, but a vast majority of commonly disposed materials, especially those from home or construction projects, can be diverted from landfill. Items such as metal, wood, cardboard, paper, bricks, concrete, and glass are all frequently recycled.

In fact, many skip hire companies report recycling rates of over 80%, and some even go higher. These figures speak volumes about the progress the waste industry has made in becoming more environmentally responsible. Gone are the days when everything thrown into a skip ended up buried underground. Today’s modern waste management operations use sophisticated sorting and recycling technologies to process materials efficiently.

Here are a few tips on how to optimise your skip usage and keep your waste management efforts as green as possible:

Plastics

Plastics are often the trickiest material when it comes to recycling. Not all plastics are created equally, and therefore, not all are recyclable. Plastic is generally divided into seven categories, and these fall into two broad types: thermoset and thermoplastic. The difference lies in how they respond to heat; thermoplastics can be remelted and reused, while thermosets cannot be reprocessed once set.

In the UK, we purchase approximately 3.7 million tonnes of plastic products each year. Unfortunately, a significant portion of this plastic ends up in landfills. This happens either because the materials aren’t suitable for recycling or, more often, because individuals don’t dispose of them correctly.

Surprisingly, many everyday plastic items are recyclable if handled properly. These include:

  • Water bottles
  • Yoghurt pots
  • Food containers
  • Cling film (in some areas)

However, certain plastics are not widely recyclable through standard waste streams. These include:

  • Plastic bin bags
  • Straws
  • Black food trays
  • Disposable coffee cups (often lined with plastic)

Being informed about what types of plastic can and can’t be recycled helps ensure you don’t contaminate your skip with unsuitable waste, which can complicate sorting and reduce recycling rates.

Glass and metals

Unlike plastics, glass and metals are among the most easily recyclable materials, and they can be recycled infinitely without any loss of quality. The recycling process for these materials is part of what’s known as the circular economy, where items are used, recycled, and reused in a continuous loop, minimising waste and reducing the need for raw materials.

In the UK, we consume around:

  • 500,000 tonnes of metal
  • 2 million tonnes of glass annually

Recycling glass doesn’t degrade its quality, meaning bottles and jars can be melted down and remoulded endlessly. The same applies to metals like aluminium and steel. For instance, recycling aluminium uses 95% less energy than producing it from raw ore.

Some common metal and glass items that can be recycled include:

  • Food and drink cans
  • Foil trays and packaging
  • Wire hangers
  • Pots, pans, and kitchenware
  • Glass bottles and jars (rinsed and label-free)

If you’re placing these items into your skip, ensure they’re clean and separated when possible. This greatly improves their chances of being recycled successfully.

Putting the environment first

At Brewsters Waste Management, we’re proud to be an environmentally friendly waste removal company. We understand the importance of disposing of waste in the safest and most responsible manner possible. That’s why we adhere strictly to the Environment Agency’s guidelines for the disposal and treatment of all types of waste.

Our eco skip hire service is designed to provide a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally sound way to manage your domestic or commercial waste. We offer a wide range of skip sizes, flexible delivery and collection times, and most importantly, the reassurance that your waste is being dealt with in an eco-conscious way.

Operating across London and Essex, we provide comprehensive waste management services for homeowners, builders, and businesses alike. Whether you’re undertaking a one-off renovation or need regular waste collections for a construction site, we have the capacity and the commitment to deliver.

We believe sustainability isn’t a luxury, it’s a responsibility. Every tonne of waste we divert from landfill is a step toward a greener, cleaner future.

Contact us today and discover how green your next skip hire experience can be.