Most household, green and construction waste can go straight into a skip bin. The main things you can’t put in a general skip bin in NSW are asbestos, food waste, chemicals, liquids, gas bottles, batteries and other hazardous items. Some bulky items, such as mattresses, tyres and carpet rolls, can go in but attract an extra charge.
Getting this right before the bin arrives saves time, avoids extra fees and stops a load being held up. WasteWise Services supplies skip bins across Sydney for renovations, clean ups and construction sites, and we confirm accepted waste types with you before delivery.
Why Some Waste Can’t Go in a Skip Bin
Skip bin waste is taken to waste and recycling facilities that are licensed to accept certain materials and not others.
Hazardous items can injure drivers and sorting staff, start fires in trucks, contaminate recyclable loads and cause lasting harm to soil and waterways. That’s why NSW has strict rules on how these materials are handled and where they end up.
Items You Can’t Put in a General Skip Bin
Asbestos and Asbestos Containing Materials
Asbestos can never go in a general waste skip bin. This includes old fibro sheeting, some eaves, bathroom and laundry wall linings and certain vinyl floor tiles from older homes.
Asbestos waste must be removed, wrapped and disposed of following strict rules. If your project involves asbestos, it needs a dedicated asbestos bin and correct handling procedures. Our asbestos removal team can take care of removal and disposal as a separate part of the job.
If you’re not sure whether a material contains asbestos, don’t break it up or load it. Have it checked first.
Food Waste
Food waste isn’t accepted in any of our skip bins. It attracts pests, creates odours and contaminates the rest of the load. Use your household council bins or arrange separate disposal.
Chemicals, Solvents and Pool Chemicals
Pesticides, solvents, pool chlorine, strong cleaning products and similar chemicals can react with other waste or leak through the load. Keep them out of the bin.
Oils, Fuels and Other Liquids
Motor oil, fuel and other liquids soak into everything around them and can contaminate the whole bin. Keep containers of liquid separate from your skip bin waste.
Gas Bottles and Fire Extinguishers
Gas cylinders and fire extinguishers can explode when crushed or compacted. Even a bottle that seems empty can hold enough gas to be dangerous.
Batteries
Car batteries and household batteries, especially lithium batteries from power tools, phones and e-bikes, are a serious fire risk in trucks and at waste facilities.
Fluorescent Tubes and Globes
Fluoro tubes and compact fluorescent globes contain small amounts of mercury and should be recycled separately.
Medical Waste and Sharps
Needles, syringes and other medical waste are a direct risk to anyone handling the load. They need to go through a proper sharps disposal service.
Where Household Problem Waste Can Go Instead
Across NSW, Community Recycling Centres accept household quantities of common problem wastes for free. These include paint, gas bottles, fire extinguishers, motor oils, batteries and fluorescent globes and tubes.
Check your local council website for the nearest drop-off point and any limits on quantities.
Items That Can Go In but Cost Extra
Some bulky or hard to recycle items are accepted, but they need extra handling at the facility, so they attract a surcharge. On our current price guide these include:
- Mattresses
- Tyres
- Carpet rolls
- Synthetic grass rolls
- Lino floor coverings
- Paint tins
You can see the current rates on our skip bin price list. Letting us know about these items when you book means they’re included in your quote. Leftover household paint can also go to a Community Recycling Centre for free instead.
Heavy Waste Needs the Right Bin
Bricks, concrete, tiles, soil and rubble are much heavier than general waste. Our skip bins are priced by waste type, such as household rubbish, construction waste, brick and concrete, or soil and vegetation, and pricing can vary with load weight.
If heavy materials are mixed into a general waste bin, the load no longer matches what was booked. Tell us what you’re removing and we’ll recommend the right bin type and size.
Loading Your Skip Bin Safely
A well loaded bin is safer to collect and makes better use of the space you’ve paid for.
- Keep waste level with the top edge of the bin
- Don’t let items stick out over the sides
- Put heavy, flat items in first and fill gaps with smaller waste
- Break down furniture and cardboard where you can
- Keep an eye on bins left on the street so other people don’t add their rubbish
Council Permits for Skip Bins on the Street
If the skip bin sits on private property, such as your driveway, a council permit is generally not required. If it needs to go on a public road or nature strip, council approval may be needed, and the rules vary between Sydney councils.
Our team can help confirm what applies at your address when you book.
Renovation Waste and Older Homes
Bathroom and kitchen rip-outs mostly produce waste that can go straight in the bin, such as tiles, cabinets, timber and plasterboard. Older homes are the exception. Wall linings, eaves and flooring in homes built before the late 1980s can contain asbestos, and that material can’t be mixed with general renovation waste.
Before loading old sheeting or flooring, read our guide on where asbestos is commonly found. Our tips on managing building waste after a bathroom or kitchen rip-out are also worth a look before you start.
How WasteWise Services Helps
We keep skip bin hire simple. When you book, we confirm what can and can’t go in your bin, recommend a suitable size and waste type, and flag any items that attract a surcharge.
For projects involving asbestos or other hazardous materials, we confirm the correct disposal procedures before delivery. Our skip bin hire service includes asbestos bins that meet hazardous waste requirements.
If you have bulky items or a mix of waste that doesn’t suit a bin, our rubbish removal service can take it away for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put paint tins in a skip bin?
Yes, but each paint tin attracts a surcharge. Leftover household paint can also go to a Community Recycling Centre for free.
Can asbestos go in a normal skip bin?
No. Asbestos must never go in a general waste bin. It needs a dedicated asbestos bin and must be handled and disposed of following strict safety rules.
Can I put a mattress in a skip bin?
Yes. Mattresses are accepted with a per item surcharge. Let us know when you book so it’s included in your quote.
Can food waste go in a skip bin?
No. Food waste isn’t accepted in any of our skip bins, so it needs to be disposed of separately.
What happens if banned items end up in my skip bin?
They can hold up collection and may lead to extra charges. If you’re unsure about an item, call us before you load it.
If you’re planning a clean up, renovation or building project in Sydney, our team is ready to help you choose the right bin. Get a quote or call (02) 9188 8899.