Whether you’re tackling a home renovation, doing garden clean-up or clearing out old office equipment in Canberra, hiring a skip bin is an excellent solution for managing waste. However, not everything can be tossed into a Canberra skip bin. Knowing what you can and cannot dispose of is crucial to avoid additional fees and ensure environmental compliance.

In this guide, we discuss the importance of proper waste disposal, outline the acceptable and prohibited items for skips in Canberra and explain how choosing the right service can make all the difference.

The importance of proper waste disposal

Proper waste disposal is both a legal requirement and a responsibility. Incorrect disposal can lead to significant environmental issues and health risks to humans, particularly through improperly handling hazardous materials. By understanding what can and cannot go into your Canberra skips, you ensure that waste is processed responsibly and sustainably, minimising its environmental impact.

What you CAN put in a Canberra skip bin:

1. General waste

  • Household items, including clothing, toys, kitchenware
  • Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
  • Appliances 
  • Wood, metals and plastics
  • Green waste (branches, woodchips and bark, leaves and grass clippings). These must not exceed 20cm in diameter or two metres in length. 

2. Building and construction waste

  • Timber
  • Concrete
  • Bricks
  • Ceramics
  • Tiles

3. Mixed heavy waste

  • Combined waste types
  • General rubble and soil (excluding contaminated soil)

What you CANNOT put in Canberra skips and why:

1. Hazardous materials

  • Asbestos — Requires specialised disposal due to its carcinogenic nature. Improper handling can release fibres into the air, posing severe health risks to humans.
  • Paints and solvents — Contain harmful chemicals that can leach into the environment and pose significant health risks if disposed of incorrectly.
  • Oils — Can cause soil and water contamination if not disposed of properly.
  • Chemicals — Pose environmental and health risks due to their reactive, explosive and toxic nature. 
  • Gas bottles — Can explode if compressed in waste compactors. 
  • Batteries — Contain heavy metals like lead, mercury and cadmium, which are toxic and can contaminate soil and water.

2. Other prohibited items

  • Food waste — Attracts pests such as rodents and insects and can cause unpleasant odours. Decomposing organic matter also produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
  • Liquids — Avoid disposing any liquids, especially wet paint, fuel and chemicals, as these can spill and contaminate other materials, making the entire bin’s content hazardous and unsuitable for standard disposal methods.

Looking for a cheap skip in Canberra?

Choose a hire for skips Canberra can trust. Bullet Bins provides reliable and affordable skip bins in Canberra that comply with local regulations. We also accept mattresses (with an additional $55 tipping fee) and tyres (with an additional $10 tipping fee per tyre), so you can dispose of even more items with ease. 

As part of our commitment to environmental responsibility, we can take items such as fridges and air conditioners to ensure they’re recycled for their steel content, helping create a more sustainable future. 

Learn more about our skip bin hire services and how we can help with your waste management needs.

Partner with Bullet Bins for cheap skip bins in Canberra, and let us help you keep our city clean and sustainable.