How to reduce your skip hire costs

Spare a thought for the many small and medium-sized building firms who have turned our 0800 612 2027 number into an extra-hot line.

December is always a very busy month for ProSkips as domestic construction companies bow to customers’ demands to “get the job finished before Christmas”.

Builders all over London are working from dawn to dusk completing kitchen extensions, loft conversions and other residential contracts before the holiday season gets into full swing.

In addition to considering what to buy your loved ones for Christmas, this time of year is also ideal for construction companies of all sizes to consider their waste management strategies.  

A proactive waste management strategy – including briefing all site workers – not only keeps a site tidy and organised, it helps eradicate potential dangers and risks, can reduce costs, helps you comply with environmental legislation and gives your business a better public image.

Most skip loads contain about 70% air. By packing a skip well, you can reduce the number of loads a construction project will require and save on hire costs.  

How to reduce your waste output

One of the best ways to help manage waste is to try to reduce the amount of material that needs to be put in a skip. This starts with your purchase orders.

• Order the quantity of materials you require as accurately as possible. This not only cuts the amount of leftover stock, it eliminates the need for storage.
• Think about the packaging surrounding the materials arriving on site. Can you reduce it? Can the suppliers remove it for you? Is it possible to include that into your contract with them?
• Reject damaged or incomplete deliveries.
• Think about the quality of the materials and the suppliers themselves. Do they recycle? Are they certified with Environmental Standards?
• Look into the possibility of recycling or reusing waste materials. You will need to check the specifications of what is required and what materials you have first.

Your site isn’t a storage depot

Another factor in the amount of waste that your site creates is in the storage of materials before they are required. Materials that are locked away are more likely to get damaged or stolen. Try to reduce the amount of time you store materials by…

• Arranging for deliveries to arrive on the day they will be required
• If they need to be locked away, make sure that storage areas are safe, waterproof and secure
• To avoid pollution, ensure that you store liquids away from drains, bunded areas and burns.

Waste disposal advice

Don’t be tempted to remove your own waste. Every organisation that carries waste as part of its business must register as a waste carrier. Failure to do so could result in a £5000 fine.  

When you hire a skip from a registered waste carrier, please remember to…

• Segregate it into separate material types, at least wood, inert and mixed materials. It could also pay to hire a skip for metals that can generate income from recycling
• Fill out the waste transfer notes before the skip leaves the site.
• Ensure that you notify SEPA of any hazardous waste.

Effective waste management isn’t just about reducing the number of skips used during a project. Understanding where your waste goes and what happens to it can contribute to your measured performance, through increased recycling rates.  
 
For more information about how to reduce the cost of your skip hire, contact ProSkips today.