RF Recycling Group Guides, News & Insights

What is the best skip for domestic purposes

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:42:13 GMT

We answer one of our most common questions which is finding the right skip size for domestic jobs around the home.

When you come to hire a skip , whether it’s your tenth this year or the first one you’ve ever hired, you’ll no doubt ask yourself “what is the best skip for my project?”.

And for homeowners looking to dispose of domestic waste, it’s an important question to address, because not only will it impact the work you’re looking to do, but it will also have a bearing on how much you pay — no one wants to pay more than they have to!

We’re going to help you find out what the best skip is for a domestic purpose, as well as more information on the types of work they’re useful for and how to order them with our friendly team.

When should you hire a skip?

We send out our skips to homes across Salisbury, Ringwood, and Bournemouth each and every day, providing homeowners with an efficient and responsible way to deal with waste. But what type of projects might skips be useful for, exactly? Here are a few typical examples of when customers need our skip hire service:

For house clearances

Whether it’s just the garage or attic that needs a good clear out to make some room, or you’re selling the property and need to strip everything right down to the carpets, a skip means it can all go in one handy container.

For gardening and landscaping

Some people like to potter all year in the garden, but when it comes to spring and the end of summer, the clippings, trimmings and general waste might get too much. That’s when a skip becomes the ideal one-shot solution to getting rid of everything from excess topsoil to weeds and branches.

For kitchen or bathroom renovations

Most commonly, our skips get used for kitchen or bathroom renovations, which means the disposal of tiles, cabinets and even fixtures and fittings. But any room in the home can be the subject to renovation, and that work usually involves a fair amount of waste to be gotten rid of safely and legally.

Skip hire is a great help for all these projects and more, since you don’t end up clogging up household bins or struggling at your local council recycling centre.

You can also use our handy skip size calculator tool:

Types of skips for home projects

Now you know the kind of projects you might use a skip for, let’s look at the different types available to help establish which is the best skip for domestic purposes.

Mini Skips

A mini skip is a four-yard skip that can be used for small domestic projects. Holding around 40 black bin bags of waste, they are a great way of avoiding filling up household bins without taking multiple trips to the local authority site for disposal. Choose a four-yard skip with a door for easier access when moving heavier items.

Midi Skips

Our midi skips are six and eight-yard skips , giving you the additional capacity to meet the demands of renovation projects or landscaping where you’ll produce more waste. The six-yard skips are available with a door or as enclosed skips . This allows you to get on with the work at hand without worrying about how to deal with the mounds of rubbish.

Builders Skips

In our builders’ skip range we have six, eight, ten and twelve-yard skips . These skips are a great solution for managing waste on your larger domestic project, usually involving lots of building materials. They are still of a size that allows for easy placement on driveways (or on the road with a permit that we arrange on your behalf).

So which is best? The answer is that it’s all down to you. All three of the above work for domestic purposes, so think carefully and estimate how much waste you’ll create to associate it with the correct size.

How to hire a skip for home projects

It has never been easier to get the right skip for your domestic project thanks to our competitively priced services at RF Recycling Group.

Our online ordering system means you can quickly and simply choose a skip size that meets your needs. Once you select a size using the “order now” button, you’ll then be guided to different options depending on the waste type you want to dispose of, with options to select skips with doors on some sizes.

You’ll then be prompted to enter your postcode, followed by details of the delivery address and where you plan to keep the skip (on the road or off-road), before leading to the payment. Alternatively, you can order over the phone if you’d prefer to speak to us.

We’ll then deliver your skip and all you have to do is call us to arrange a collection when it’s full (you can keep your skip for anywhere between one day and two weeks).

Order online today through our skip sizes or pick up the phone and speak to our team for more information on skip hire in Salisbury, Ringwood, and Bournemouth.

Skip Sizes Demystified: Choosing the Right Size For Your Project | RF Recycling Group

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:33:36 GMT

Skip Sizes Demystified: Choosing the Right Size For Your Project | RF Recycling Group

Skip hire is one of the most effective waste management services available, but choosing the right skip size can sometimes be a challenge.

Knowing what skip size you need will help you save money and ensure you can get rid of your waste in the most efficient and convenient way possible. At RF Recycling, we provide skips of all sizes to our customers in Ringwood, Salisbury, Bournemouth and the surrounding areas.

In this article, we’ll help you answer the question ‘which skip is right for my project?’, providing a comprehensive overview of all the options available.

Choosing the right skip size

Making sure you have the right skip for your project is important for several reasons:

Cost – Getting the right skip first time round will help save you money. The bigger the skip, the more it tends to cost, so if you buy a skip that is too big, then you are wasting money, and if you get one that is too small, you will need to order another one.

Prevents overfilling – If you order a skip that is too small, you run the risk of overfilling it. Not only is this unsafe, but most skip hire companies will refuse to take away overfilled skips and you may even be fined.

Space management – You need to think about whether there is enough space for the skip to be delivered. If the skip is too big to put on your driveway or land, it may need to be placed on the public road, meaning you’ll also need a permit.

How do I calculate what skip size I need?

Calculating skip sizes can be difficult, but there are a few key considerations you can bear in mind to make it easier. This includes:

Estimate the volume of waste – Spend some time thinking about how much waste your project might generate. This is easier if you already have it in bin bags, as many skip hire companies can recommend a skip size based on how many bags you have.

Space for skip placement – Make sure you have enough space on your property for the skip. If space is at a premium, you may need to choose a smaller size or consider placing it on the public road with a permit.

Type of waste – Skips come with weight restrictions, so for heavier waste, like soil, bricks and rubble, smaller skips may be better to prevent overfilling.

Project duration – If your project is going to last a long period of time, it may be better to hire a bigger skip to prevent having to book more than once.

RF Recycling’s skip sizes

At RF Recycling, we supply skips in a wide range of sizes for all kinds of projects. Whether you’re undertaking a household DIY project or work for a large-scale construction firm, we’ll always have the right skip for your needs.

Our skip sizes include:

Four yard skips (40 bags of waste)

Six yard skips (60 bags of waste)

Eight yard skips (80 bags of waste)

Ten yard skips (100 bags of waste)

Twelve yard skips (120 bags of waste)

Fifteen yard RORO skips (150 bags of waste)

Forty yard RORO skips (400 bags of waste)

We also offer grab bags for smaller projects and enclosed lockable skips if you’re looking for extra security.

If you’re unsure what size skip you need, you can always use our handy skip calculator for guidance, or get in touch with our friendly team and we’ll be happy to help.

RF Recycling Upgrades Fleet with Three New Skip Lorries

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:33:36 GMT

RF Recycling Upgrades Fleet with Three New Skip Lorries

The team here at RF Recycling is delighted to announce that we have upgraded our fleet of vehicles by adding three new skip lorries to our collection. The three state-of-the-art DAF skip-hire trucks will help make our operations in Ringwood, Salisbury, Bournemouth and the surrounding areas even easier.

The trucks come fully equipped with Webb arms that provide extra reach, meaning we can better serve restricted sites and place your skip in the most convenient location for your project’s needs. What’s more, all the trucks come with a digital camera system that gives our drivers better visibility when they are out on the roads.

Our Managing Director, Ben Wyatt, said: “At RF Recycling, we’re constantly looking for ways to grow our business and enhance our offering. By investing in these three new skip lorries, it means we can serve more customers and continue to provide the highest level of service across the region. These trucks are already out on the roads and making a big difference to how we work. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we’re always looking for new and innovative ways to make our service even better for them.”

To find out more about our fleet or for advice on the best skip size for your next project, get in touch with RF Recycling today.

Can I Put Furniture in a Skip?

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:33:36 GMT

Can I put furniture in a skip?

If you’re looking to upgrade the furniture in your home, you’ll need a place to get rid of your old pieces. Whether it’s a sofa, bed, dining room table or any other type of furniture, you may be wondering whether putting furniture in a skip is a viable option.

Here at RF Recycling, we supply a wide range of skips for domestic and commercial use purposes, and in this article, we’ll take a look at whether you can put furniture in a skip.

Can I put furniture in a skip?

Yes, you can use skips for furniture disposal depending on the type of furniture you’re getting rid of. Normally, there is no problem with using a skip to get rid of unwanted tables, chairs, desks and more, but it depends on what the furniture is made from.

For example, if the furniture is upholstered, it may contain Persistent Organic Pollutants, or POPs, that need to be disposed of in a specialist manner. This is because POPs can be hazardous to human health, so furniture that may contain them cannot be recycled in the same way as other types.

While furniture containing POPs was made illegal in 2004, many older sofas or mattresses still contain them, which is why they cannot go in skips. If you need to get rid of any upholstered furniture, get in touch with the team at RF Recycling, and we’ll be able to advise on the best approach.

What furniture can go in a skip?

Other than upholstered furniture, a wide range of furniture types can go in a skip. This includes wooden and plastic:

Tables

Chairs

Desks

Wardrobes

Storage units

Dressers

Bookshelves

When placing furniture in the skip, ensure it does not exceed the fill line; otherwise, you may be fined or your driver may not be able to collect the skip due to it being unsafe.

Skips are also the perfect waste management choice for other types of household waste, including paper, cardboard, metals and garden waste like soil or rubble.

At RF Recycling, we have a wide range of skip sizes for furniture you can choose from. Whether you simply need to get rid of a few household items or you work for a commercial organisation that needs to dispose of significant quantities of furniture, you can rest assured that we’ll have the perfect type for you.

Some of the skip sizes we offer include:

While the skip sizes listed above should be suitable for most furniture disposal jobs, if you do need anything bigger, we have a range of large-scale RORO skips to assist. Simply let our team know the scope of your project, and we can advise on the best type for you.

Furniture disposal at our recycling centre

Once you’ve filled your skip with the furniture, our team will come and collect it before transporting it to our dedicated recycling centre in Fordingbridge . Here, we regularly recycle a wide range of materials at our state-of-the-art facility.

We will separate the waste before recycling it as sustainably as possible. This is all part of our zero waste to landfill pledge.

And, if you do have sofas or mattresses that can’t go in a skip, we can take these off your hands separately. You can see prices for this service here .

How Do I Stop People Putting Things in My Skip?

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:33:36 GMT

How Do I Stop People Putting Things in My Skip?

If you’ve hired a skip, then it’s fair to say it will be for the purpose of disposing of waste. You will likely have hired a skip of a certain size based on the specifics of your project, so if it gets quickly filled up due to other people putting their waste in it instead, it can be both frustrating and costly.

With this in mind, keeping your skip safe from unwanted waste is bound to be a priority, and in this article, we’ll explain the various ways you can stop people dumping their waste in your skip.

How do I stop people using my skip

There is a wide range of ways you can stop people from using your skip, including:

Talk to them

If you know who the culprits are, it might be worth having a polite word with them. Asking people to stop using your skip is often the quickest way to deal with the problem, but remember to stay civil and non-confrontational when you approach them.

Place the skip on private land

People are less likely to put waste in your skip if it is on private land as opposed to a public place like a road. If you have gates at your property, then having the skip on your driveway is a good way to keep it protected. Sometimes, even skips on driveways will not stop people from dumping their waste, so if it’s practical, you may also want to consider keeping the skip in your back garden.

Use a skip cover

You can cover your skip with a sheet of tarpaulin when not in use. This will deter people from using it, as a covered skip is often less appealing than one that is open.

Hire a lockable skip

Some skips are lockable , meaning they can be locked when not in use. This makes it impossible for people to dump waste in when it is locked.

Secure your Skip

As mentioned above, the best way to secure your skip is to hire a lockable skip from RF Recycling. These skips are fully contained and come with a lid that can be opened and closed rather than being open like traditional skips. When not being used, the lid can be locked, preventing people from discarding unwanted waste within it.

We provide lockable, enclosed skips in two sizes, 6 Yard and 12 Yard meaning you can prioritise skip safety and security no matter what kind of project you’re working on.

Is it illegal to use someone else’s skip?

Yes, using someone else’s skip without permission is actually illegal. It is classified as fly-tipping and also trespassing if someone goes onto your private land to do it. If caught, consequences can include hefty fines. In rare cases, fly-tipping offences can even result in a prison sentence.

However, while it is illegal, it can be difficult to prove, so having a deterrent like a lockable enclosed skip is always worthwhile.

Working across Salisbury, Ringwood, Bournemouth and the surrounding areas, for more information, contact our team today.

What Should I Do With Garden Waste?

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:33:36 GMT

What Should I Do With Garden Waste?

As we head into the summer months and the weather, hopefully, starts to get warmer, many people’s attention begins to turn to home improvements. In particular, you may be considering spending more time working on your garden, and as a result, you will have garden waste you need to get rid of.

At RF Recycling, we operate a leading garden waste disposal service in Ringwood, Salisbury, Bournemouth and the surrounding areas. In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide on what to do with your garden waste.

What is garden waste?

Garden waste refers to a wide range of materials that are produced when gardening or outdoor maintenance. While it commonly refers to organic matter, man-made materials, like bricks and tiles, can also be referred to as garden waste.

Some most common garden waste examples include:

Grass clippings

Leaves

Branches

Weeds

Dead plants

Soil

Broken paving slabs

Bricks

Tiles

Stone or gravel

What should I do with garden waste?

If you have garden waste you need to get rid of, there is a wide range of options you can choose from.

Reuse it

The most environmentally friendly approach to garden waste is to reuse it. How you reuse it will depend on the type of waste you have, but there are a few options open to you. Organic green waste such as soil, grass clippings and dead plants can be used to create a compost heap or simply left on your lawn to provide the grass with additional nutrients.

Alternatively, hard landscaping waste like old slabs, bricks and tiles can be used in future gardening projects or even sold online.

Use a garden waste collection service

If you don’t want to reuse your waste, you could opt for a garden waste collection service. Many local authorities offer this kind of service, and at RF Recycling, we have a waste collection offering of our own. This involves our team heading to your location and taking the waste away. Our garden waste recycling centre has a zero waste to landfill policy, so you can rest assured that all your waste will be disposed of in the most responsible way.

Use a garden waste skip

If you have a large amount of garden waste, then a skip may be more suitable. We have a variety of skips in a wide range of sizes, and can provide you with the most appropriate type for your needs. Simply fill the skip with your garden waste, and give us a call when you’re ready for it to be collected.

Use a grab bag

Sometimes, you might not need an entire skip for your garden waste. In these instances, waste bags may be more suitable. These durable, waterproof bags are ideal for domestic gardening jobs, and you can fill them up with waste before contacting us to arrange collection.

Garden waste removal service

If you require garden waste removal services in Ringwood, Salisbury, Bournemouth and beyond, the team here at RF Recycling is here to help. From skip hire to waste collection , we’ll tailor our services specifically to your needs, and all waste we collect will be recycled in the most environmentally friendly way possible. For more information or to make a booking, get in touch with our team today.

How Do I Dispose of Plasterboard?

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:33:36 GMT

How Do I Dispose of Plasterboard?

Plasterboard, also known as drywall or gypsum, is a commonly used building material that is often utilised when constructing interior walls and ceilings.

A quick and easy alternative to traditional plastering methods, if you need to dispose of plasterboard as part of your next project it’s important that you understand the correct plasterboard removal process.

We offer large waste bags for plasterboard which can also be added alongside your skip hire .

Unlike other materials like wood, rubble and bricks, plasterboard cannot be put in a skip with general mixed waste. Instead, it requires a specialist process.

In this article, the team at RF Recycling Group will explain how to dispose of plasterboard safely.

Why can you not put plasterboard in a skip?

Plasterboard must never be put in a mixed waste skip or any skip that includes other waste types.

This is because it is classified as hazardous and, by law, must be handled in a specific way. In 2009, the Environmental Agency passed a law stating that plasterboard and other gypsum-based materials can no longer be landfilled and must always be separated for recovery and recycling purposes – and this includes when using skip hire. April 2025 will also see an increase in the UK’s Landfill tax, which is likely to impact commercial companies.

While plasterboard is not allowed in skips with other types of waste, some skip hire companies will offer specialist plasterboard skips. At RF Recycling Group, we provide plasterboard skip hire that can see our team safely and responsibly handle this type of waste.

Why is plasterboard so hazardous?

One of the core ingredients of plasterboard is gypsum. Sitting between two layers of lining paper, gypsum contains a high amount of sulphates which can produce a hazardous gas called hydrogen sulphide. This gas is colourless but extremely toxic and can be hazardous if breathed in – in some cases, it can even cause explosions. The gas is produced when the plasterboard gets wet, which is why it needs to be kept separate from other materials that you may be recycling in a skip.

How do I dispose of plasterboard?

At RF Recycling, we’re experts in plasterboard removal. We have a range of specialist skips that can handle this type of waste for both domestic and commercial customers.

For domestic customers

If you’re handling plasterboard removal as part of a house clearance, home DIY project or any other type of domestic job, you must segregate your waste one way or another.

While some people will head to their local tip, this can be a time-consuming process and if you haven’t properly separated the waste you could be fined.

Hiring a specialist plasterboard skip is a great alternative that makes the process simple. At RF Recycling Group, we can supply you with a specialist plasterboard skip. All you need to do is place all your plasterboard in it and we’ll take it to our recycling centre to responsibly dispose of it. As well as this, we offer one-tonne plasterboard bags for smaller plasterboard jobs that are suitable for many of our domestic customers.

For business customers

If you’re a commercial customer who regularly handles plasterboard on a larger scale, we can also assist.

Our specialist plasterboard skips can be supplied on an industrial scale, providing you with the perfect waste management solution for this hazardous material. Once your skip is filled, simply give us a call and our team can collect the waste before recycling it at our on-site recycling centre , complying with all environmental legislation.

Working across Ringwood, Salisbury, Bournemouth and the surrounding areas, the team here at RF Recycling Group can help you safely and legally dispose of all plasterboard waste. With a range of skip sizes available , no matter the size or scope of your project we’re here to make the process as easy as possible. For more information on plasterboard skip hire, contact our expert team today.

What happens to my skip waste?

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:33:36 GMT

What happens to my skip waste?

Skip hire is an easy and convenient way to dispose of your waste in an environmentally responsible manner.

From garden waste to construction materials, there are a wide range of things that you can put in a skip, which is why it’s often considered to be the ideal solution for both domestic and commercial settings.

If you’ve used a skip before, you probably haven’t thought too deeply about what happens to your waste after it’s been taken away. At RF Recycling, we’re committed to our green credentials and have an on-site local recycling centre where we strive to recycle 100% of the waste we collect.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what happens to your waste once we’ve taken it away.

Benefits of skip hire

Skip hire is one of the most efficient waste management methods around – which is largely why people don’t really think about where their waste goes once it is taken away.

Some of the key benefits of skip hire include:

Efficient waste management – Skip hire provides a quick and convenient way to dispose of large amounts of waste all at once – saving time and effort.

Environmentally friendly – At RF Recycling, we’re committed to sustainability with all waste recycled at our dedicated recycling centre.

Versatility – Skips are available in various sizes to suit your needs. From small four yard skips to large RORO types, we can cater skips to your exact requirements.

Enhances safety – Providing a centralised place to dispose of your waste keeps your outdoor space free of clutter and hazards.

What happens to your skip waste?

At RF Recycling, we make waste management simple. If you’re wondering what happens to your waste after your skip has been taken away, we follow the below process:

Collection

The traditional skip hire service involves us collecting the skip from your home or site once it has been filled.

All you need to do is give us a call when the waste is ready to be collected and a member of our team will be on their way.

Alternatively, we offer a man and van waste collection service which will see our team visit your premises and take your waste away in a van.

Customers can also drop off waste directly at our recycling centre in Fordingbridge . This is most suitable for commercial customers who may require scrap metal recycling services , as a waste carrier licence is required.

Waste is transferred to a waste station

No matter how your waste reaches our recycling centre , once we get our hands on it the first thing we’ll do is move it to the waste transfer station.

Here, it’ll be responsibly sorted.

Sorting process

The waste will be sorted both mechanically and by hand into different categories depending on the waste type. The waste will be placed into different waste bins ready for the final step.

Waste is ready to be recycled

Once everything has been sorted, our team will then begin to recycle the waste. We strive to recycle 100% of the waste we collect, including:

Scrap metal (both ferrous and non-ferrous)

General mixed waste

Green waste

Wood waste

Garden waste

And more

If you need help with any type of waste management , RF Recycling is here to help.

For many years, we’ve worked alongside domestic and commercial customers across Fordingbridge, Ringwood, Salisbury, Bournemouth and the surrounding areas, so if you require skip hire or any other services, contact our team today.

How to Fill a Skip

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:33:36 GMT

How to Fill a Skip

A skip is a great waste management solution that can be used for all manner of projects. From household DIY work to major commercial developments, skip hire is an easy and convenient way to dispose of all kinds of waste and it’s important to understand how to fill a skip effectively.

Before filling a skip, you should make sure that you are wearing the necessary safety equipment such as protective gloves, safety glasses and closed shoes.

How to fill a skip safely

You can’t just chuck anything in a skip.

Before you start to fill one, take some time reading what can and can’t go in a skip. Our FAQs outline what can’t be put in a skip so make sure you consult them. If we arrive to collect the skip and it includes prohibited items, we may refuse to take it away.

While it might seem simple, there is actually a proper process to follow to help you fill it correctly and ensure you are able to maximise the skip’s available space.

1. Be aware of your level load line

Before you start filling your skip, make sure you’re familiar with its level load line. Every skip has one of these lines which indicate the maximum level you’re allowed to fill it to.

A skip is considered to be level-loaded when it is filled up to or below the line. If you fill the skip above the line, it is considered dangerous and it is actually illegal to transport it in this way.

It is likely a skip hire company will refuse to take your skip if you fill it above this maximum level.

2. Flat items

Begin by placing any flat items, like cardboard boxes or wooden planks, on the bottom of the skip.

Break down boxes and flatten anything that can be flattened to create a solid base layer which the bulkier items can be placed on top of. Flattening these materials can also help maximise the available space your skip has.

3. Build items up in a tessellate manner

If you have any items that fit together nicely, these should come next.

Build them up in a tessellated manner, working layer by layer across the skip. These can include items like bricks or tiles.

4. Place bulky items on top

Bulky, awkward or heavy items should be left until the end.

You should still break them down if possible, but adding them on top can help to compress the layers you have already placed in the skip and, theoretically, this will help to create even more space.

5. Add debris

Finally, if there are any bits of debris that you have left over from your project, you can throw them into the skip at the very end. Insert them into any gaps or spaces that you can find but be careful not to go above the level load line.

If you’re looking for domestic skip hire or commercial skip hire in Ringwood, Fordingbridge, Salisbury or Bournemouth, RF Recycling is here to help. We have a wide range of skips available in all sizes , and can provide you with the perfect type for your project.

How to Prepare for a Skip

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:33:36 GMT

How to Prepare for a Skip

Skip hire is one of the most effective waste management services available, perfect for a range of domestic and commercial projects.

If you’ve placed an order for a skip, then skip hire preparation is crucial in order to make the service as efficient as possible and to avoid any problems.

Here at RF Recycling Group, we’ve spent years providing skip hire services to customers across Ringwood, Salisbury and Bournemouth and in this article we’ll explain how to properly prepare for a skip.

How to prepare for a skip

Preparing for skip hire is important to ensure you are ready to receive your skip and you can get on with your project without delay.

These preparations include:

Make sure you have a place to keep the skip

Before the skip arrives you should think carefully about where it is going to be placed.

You will need enough space to be able to comfortably navigate the skip and to make it easy for your waste to be placed within it.

Skips come in a range of sizes so be sure to check the dimensions of the type you need and decide whether it needs to be kept on a driveway or if it’s better off on the side of the road.

There should be no walls or large obstacles near the skip, and if the skip’s delivery driver deems there is not enough space your delivery may be refused.

Check if you need a permit for your skip

If you are storing a skip on your own personal driveway, a permit will not be necessary.

However, if you need to keep the skip on the side of a public road then you will require a permit. These can be obtained from your local council and vary in price but on average you can expect to pay £175+VAT for a 14 day permit.

At RF Recycling Group, we can help organise permits on your behalf. We will apply for the permit for you, which can take up to a week to be approved.

Clear any obstacles before your skip arrives

Before your skip arrives, you need to make sure the area where the skip is going to go is clear of any obstructions and obstacles. Anything that may impact a smooth delivery should be removed. You may wish to park your car elsewhere to aid a smooth delivery.

In addition to this, skips should not be placed on top of manholes as they may damage the covers and could also lead to problems with flooding.

Check there’s room for the skip lorry to manoeuvre

Your skip will be delivered by lorry, so you need to make sure there is enough room for the truck to turn and manoeuvre.

Typically, a delivery lorry will need a clearance width of around three metres. If this is not available, they may not be able to successfully deliver the skip so you should check in advance. If you live on a particularly narrow road, you should make your skip hire company aware in advance so they can make the necessary arrangements.

Consult with your neighbours about your skip delivery

If you share a driveway with your neighbours, it is good manners to make them aware of your imminent skip delivery.

As well as common courtesy, making your neighbours aware of a skip also serves a practical purpose as they may need to move their vehicles to make space.

Choose the right skip for your waste

There is a wide range of different skip types and you’ll need to make sure you choose the right kind for your project. From domestic skip hire that requires mini, midi or builder’s skips to commercial skip hire that offers quality chain lift skips and large RORO skips, it’s important you select the right type.

The team here at RF Recycling Group can always advise on the best choice for your project, and our handy skip calculator tool can also inform you of the size you need.

As your number-one company for skip hire and recycling, the team here at RF Recycling Group is committed to making waste management a breeze for all of our customers. We are also dedicated to sustainability, and have our own recycling centre where you can rest assured all waste we collect from you will be recycled responsibly.

To find out more or to book a skip , contact our expert team today.

What Can and Can’t Go in a Skip

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:33:36 GMT

What Can and Can’t Go in a Skip

Skip hire is a convenient and effective way to dispose of household or commercial waste. Instead of having to transport your waste to the tip, a skip will be delivered to your address, where you can fill it up at your own pace before it’s taken away for you.

However, it’s important to understand skip hire rules, and this includes what can and can’t go in a skip.

At RF Recycling, we supply a wide range of skips in Ringwood, Salisbury and Bournemouth that can collect all types of waste. However, not everything can be put in a skip, and it’s important to know the rules.

What can you put in a skip?

Skips are a versatile waste management solution that can be used for all kinds of waste, including:

Household waste – Furniture, domestic furnishings, carpets and more

Garden waste – Grass, leaves, soil, branches and other natural materials

Construction waste – rubble, bricks, timber, tiles, sand and more

Paper and cardboard – boxes, newspapers and paper documents

Scrap metal – old metal pipes, appliances and components

Glass – bottles, windows and glass panels

While skips are great for many materials, there are several things that must not be put in them:

Hazardous Waste – Asbestos, chemicals, paints and more

Medical Waste – Bandages, dressings and needles

Batteries – Lithium-ion batteries are a fire hazard

Plasterboard – It contains toxic hydrogen sulphide and requires a specialist approach

Mattresses – Due to their size and material composition, a skip is not suitable

Tyres – They require specialist recycling

*We can still dispose of the items in this list, separately. Contact us for more information .

Choosing the right skip size

Different-sized skips are suitable for different projects, so make sure you choose yours carefully.

We offer:

Four yard skips (approximately 40 bin bags)

Six yard skips (approximately 60 bin bags)

Eight yard skips (approximately 80 bin bags)

Ten yard skips (approximately 100 bin bags)

Twelve yard skips (approximately 120 bin bags)

Fifteen yard RORO skips (approximately 150 bin bags)

Forty yard RORO skips (approximately 350 bin bags)

Smaller skips tend to be better for domestic DIY jobs, whereas large construction projects may require a larger size. Our team can help you decide on the best type for your needs.

Our latest skip hire prices can be found here .

Why you should follow skip hire rules

It’s important to follow skip hire rules for several reasons.

Firstly, placing inappropriate materials in a skip will likely see you fined by your skip hire company. As well as this, there are many government regulations and environmental laws regarding how hazardous materials should be discarded. Breaking these rules can result in legal action and potentially cause harm to human health and the environment.

At RF Recycling, we’re here to help you remain compliant and safely dispose of all waste types.

Are you looking for skip hire?

If you need skip hire for your next domestic or commercial project, RF Recycling is here to help. With our zero-waste-to-landfill policy, you can rest assured that all of the waste we collect will be disposed of in the most responsible way possible at our dedicated recycling centre.

Book your skip online today or give our team a call for advice on the best size for your needs.

Government Gets Tough on Illegal Fly-Tipping

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:33:36 GMT

Government Gets Tough on Illegal Fly-Tipping

Fly-tipping is the scourge of many local communities, causing a whole host of environmental and potential health issues, as well as being an eyesore.

With the support of many local authorities, the UK government has recently announced new rules and punishments to help deal with the issue.

At RF Recycling, we understand just how disruptive, unpleasant and distressing fly-tipping incidents can be, and have put together this blog, where we’ll take a closer look at the government’s tougher rules and the consequences for those who get caught.

What is fly-tipping?

Before we delve into the new rules that the government has introduced, let’s look at what fly-tipping is more precisely.

In short, fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste on land that has not got a licence, or agreed, to accept it. This waste can take many forms, and as well as being both solid and liquid, it can come from domestic or commercial properties.

In addition to being unpleasant and bad for the environment, fly-tipping is illegal, and anyone caught doing it faces serious consequences.

What happens if you get caught fly-tipping?

Those who get caught fly-tipping should be aware that the consequences are severe.

And in March 2023, the government announced that the ramifications had just gotten even tougher. This followed a joint letter by five police and crime commissioners (PCCs) in the southwest of England to Environment Minister, Therese Coffey, calling for greater punishments.

The government has responded by confirming that on-the-spot fines for fly-tipping will be increasing from £400 to £1,000. This is part of a greater crackdown on anti-social behaviour in England, with littering and graffiti fines increasing to £500 with local councils being encouraged to take a tougher stance on these types of incidents.

As well as the on-the-spot fines, if fly-tippers are prosecuted and taken to court over the offence, they could face unlimited additional fines and even prison time.

Leading skip hire services

Fly-tipping can have huge negative impacts on local communities, the environment and natural ecosystems. With all this considered, it’s no wonder that the UK government has introduced bigger fines to deal with the issue, especially as it looks to meet its pledge of eradicating waste crime by 2043.

RF Recycling Group offer a 'man and van' waste removal service which can be ideal for clearing any unwanted fly-tipping.

If you have large amounts of household or commercial waste that you’re looking to dispose of, you should never consider fly-tipping. Instead, get in touch with a local skip hire firm that can responsibly and sustainably remove your waste.

The team at RF Recycling Group operates throughout Bournemouth, Salisbury and Ringwood, providing leading skip hire services to both domestic and commercial customers. We supply our customers with skips of all shapes and sizes at reasonable prices , and once you’ve filled it with your waste, we’ll be on hand to take the skip away to then recycle the waste at our dedicated recycling centre , giving you peace of mind that it’s being responsibly dealt with.

For more information or to order a skip, get in touch with RF Recycling today.

How Biomass Waste is Helping with the Road to Net Zero

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:33:36 GMT

How Biomass Waste is Helping with the Road to Net Zero

From soaring temperatures to extreme weather events around the world, the impact of climate change on our planet is clear to see.

As governments and individuals try to change their behaviour to be more environmentally friendly, net zero pledges are among the key ways the world might be able to make a discernible difference to the issue.

The introduction of alternative fuels, such as biomass, is one key way in which countries can make good on these net zero commitments.

At RF Recycling, not only do we provide effective waste management solutions to communities across Ringwood, Salisbury, Bournemouth and the surrounding areas, but we’re also committed to sustainability across everything we do.

At our dedicated recycling centre , we provide a leading biomass waste-to-energy service that allows us to produce clean and renewable energy which can be used for a variety of purposes.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how biomass waste is helping with the road to net zero.

What is net zero?

One of the main ways to limit the impacts of global warming on the planet is to limit the increase in global temperatures to just 1.5°C. This is the magic number and scientists believe that staying below this figure is essential if we are to prevent irreparable damage to the world.

In order to achieve this goal, many countries, including the UK, have pledged to reach net zero by the year 2050.

Net zero refers to a 100% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by this year. However, it does not mean that in 2050 the country will be using no greenhouse gases whatsoever. Instead, it means that we will absorb more carbon than we produce via a range of sustainable practices.

This includes utilising alternative fuels which do not cause as much pollution as greenhouse gases — biomass fuel being one of the main ways to do this.

What is Biomass?

While you may have heard of biomass before and know that it’s a sustainable fuel option, you might be unsure of what it is exactly.

In short, biomass refers to any kind of organic material that can be used to produce energy. This includes wood, plants and human or animal waste that has come from industry, agriculture or households.

The biomass is then converted into energy by recycling centres where it becomes known as biomass energy or bioenergy.

What are the benefits of biomass energy?

The process of converting biomass into bioenergy involves burning the material in such a way that produces high-pressure steam.

The steam then rotates the turbines of a generator to create electricity.

While the environmentally friendly nature of this type of energy is clearly its main advantage, there are a whole host of other benefits to biomass energy.

This includes:

It is infinite

Another sustainable advantage of biomass is that it provides the world with an infinite amount of resources. As well as their polluting nature, greenhouse gases are also non-renewable, whereas bioenergy will last forever and is a renewable resource.

It can create jobs

As we shift towards renewable energy production, more and more jobs will be created. This includes a range of industries such as manufacturing, agriculture and more.

Increased energy security

One of the main benefits of bioenergy is that it makes countries less dependent on foreign energy sources and boosts domestic energy production.

In recent years, this issue has been brought into focus by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Both events caused an energy shortage in many countries and created a spike in prices.

Bioenergy means that countries can rely on their domestic supply and, hopefully, provide cheaper prices for consumers.

At RF Recycling Group, we have a dedicated local recycling centre in Fordingbridge where we produce biomass energy, demonstrating our commitment to sustainability. To find out more about our range of recycling services, get in touch with our team today.

What Size Skip Do I Need?

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:33:36 GMT

What Size Skip Do I Need?

Skips are an extremely handy waste management solution, providing a place for people to responsibly dispose of all kinds of waste products for the duration of a domestic or commercial project.

However, while skips are suitable for a wide range of tasks, whenever you hire a skip it is essential that you choose the appropriate size for the project at hand.

You can find our latest skip hire prices here .

Why is skip size important?

If you order a skip that is too big, you’ll likely not fill it which can be a waste of money. In contrast, ordering one that is too small will slow your project down and can also be costly as you will have to order again to remove excess waste.

No matter what your circumstances, knowing the size of skip you require before a project gets underway can save you time and money. So with this in mind, the team here at RF Recycling has put together this article to outline the different skip sizes available and which type is suitable for your project.

What size skip do I need?

There’s nothing worse than ordering a skip that turns out not to be big enough for the waste generated during your project.

With this in mind, as a general rule, we’d always recommend ordering a skip that is slightly larger than what you think you’re going to need. This way, you can mitigate the risk of filling it before the task is complete and it should give you plenty of room to work with.

Some specific types of skips also lend themselves to specific projects.

You can sometimes estimate what size skip you need based on the task you’re carrying out, so let’s take a look at the most common sizes and what they’re used for.

Mini skips (Smaller Projects)

As the name suggests, mini skips are the smallest type you can get. Available in four yard sizes , these skips have the capacity for around 40 bags of waste which makes them most suitable for domestic work such as small DIY projects in the home.

Midi skips (Larger DIY Projects)

Slightly larger than mini skips are midi skips.

This skip type can be found in 6 yard , 8 yard , 10 yard and 12 yard sizes, and they’re commonly referred to as builders skips due to the fact that they’re often the chosen type of skip for builders who are working at domestic properties.

If you’re conducting a large-scale DIY project at home, they also may be more suitable than mini skips due to their capacity.

Roll-on-roll-off skips (Major Construction Projects)

Roll-on-roll-off skips, also known as RORO Skips, are large waste containers that have the capacity to dispose of significant quantities of waste. This skip type is available in a wide variety of sizes including 15 yards and 40 yards.

How can I order a skip?

With RF Recycling, ordering a skip has never been so simple.

We have a wide selection of skip sizes to choose from with waste management solutions ranging from waste bags all the way up to large roll-on-roll-off skips. We also have a handy skip size calculator that will help you work out the best option for you.

To order a skip, all you have to do is get in touch with our team. You can do this by giving us a call and we’ll be happy to discuss your requirements and choose the most suitable size for your job. Alternatively, you can book online with our quick and easy booking system.

We regularly assist domestic and commercial customers in Ringwood, Bournemouth, Salisbury and the surrounding areas, so contact us today to find out more.