Skip sizes
Skips are sold by volume in cubic yards. A mini skip suits a bathroom refit or a garden tidy, an 8 yard builders skip is the UK default for building work and house clearances, and anything from 10 yards up is usually for light, bulky waste only. Heavy waste such as soil and rubble has to go in a skip of 6 or 8 yards at most, depending on the operator.
| Size | Volume | Length | Width | Height | Bin bags | Heavy waste |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 yard mini skip | 2 cubic yards (1.5 cubic metres) | 1.52m (5ft) | 1.22m (4ft) | 0.91m (3ft) | 20 to 25 | - |
| 4 yard mini skip | 4 cubic yards (3.1 cubic metres) | 7ft (2.13m) | 5ft (1.52m) | 3ft (0.91m) | about 40 | Yes |
| 6 yard midi skip | 6 cubic yards (4.6 cubic metres) | 10ft (3.05m) | 5ft (1.52m) | 4ft (1.22m) | about 60 | Yes - the largest size you can fill completely with soil or rubble |
| 8 yard builders skip | 8 cubic yards (6.1 cubic metres) | 11ft (3.35m) | 7ft (2.13m) | 5ft (1.52m) | about 80 | Mixed loads |
| 10 yard maxi skip | 10 cubic yards (7.6 cubic metres) | 12ft (3.66m) | 6ft (1.83m) | 6ft (1.83m) | about 100 | Light waste only |
| 12 yard skip | 12 cubic yards (9.2 cubic metres) | 13ft (3.96m) | 7ft (2.13m) | 6ft (1.83m) | about 120 | Light waste only |
| 14 yard skip | 14 cubic yards (10.7 cubic metres) | 13.5ft (4.11m) | 6ft (1.83m) | 6ft (1.83m) | about 140 | No - not for large amounts of soil or hardcore |
| 16 yard maxi skip | 16 cubic yards (12.2 cubic metres) | 14ft (4.27m) | 6ft (1.83m) | 7ft (2.13m) | about 160 | Light waste only |
| 25 yard RoRo skip | 25 cubic yards (19.1 cubic metres) | 20ft (6.10m) | 8ft (2.44m) | 4.5ft (1.37m) | about 220 | Light waste only |
| 40 yard RoRo skip | 40 cubic yards (30.6 cubic metres) | 20ft (6.10m) | 8ft (2.44m) | 8.5ft (2.59m) | about 440 | Light waste only |
Sources: Business Waste, ISM Waste & Recycling. Operators build to slightly different sizes, so check with the company before you book.