How Do I Choose the Right Skip Bin?

Whether you’re planning a clear-out, managing debris from a renovation, or getting stuck into landscaping work, skip bins can help you keep things tidy around your home or work site. But how do you know which bin is the right one for your needs?

Choosing wisely can save you time, space, and unexpected charges, especially if your bin is too small, too large, or not suited to the waste you’re getting rid of. A bit of planning upfront can make the whole process smoother, from delivery to collection. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the key factors to consider to help you make an informed decision before making your booking. 

What’s Going Into the Skip Bins?

Before you arrange a skip, think about what you’re throwing away. In New Zealand, there are different types of bins for different waste streams. Using the wrong one can result in extra fees or even having your rubbish rejected.

Skip bins are typically divided into three main categories:

  • Household and light commercial waste: Includes packaging, furnishings, old clothing, and non-hazardous items.
  • Garden matter: Covers grass, leaves, small branches, and general green waste.
  • Construction and heavy materials: Such as concrete, soil, bricks, and tiles.

Be sure to separate waste types where needed. If you’re dealing with mixed materials or are unsure what to put in your skip bin, please contact our Monsta Bins team to learn about your options.

Estimating Your Waste Volume

A big challenge is judging how much space you’ll need. Choosing a bin that’s too small means hiring another one while selecting one that’s too big can be more costly than necessary.

Here are a few considerations regarding various bin sizes and their intended uses. Consider the project you’re working on and determine the size bin that would best accommodate the amount of waste you need. 

  • Small skip bins are available in two sizes (3m³ or 4.5m³): ideal for decluttering one room or trimming hedges.
  • Medium skip (around 6m³): Suited to kitchen strip-outs, carpet removal, or larger backyard projects.
  • Large skip (9m³ or more): Useful for full house clean-outs, estate clearances, or building site waste.

Visualising your waste in trailer loads or wheelie bins can help. When in doubt, a slightly larger bin is often the safer bet. Please note that hard fill, heavy materials such as concrete, soil, bricks, and tiles, can only be placed in the 3m³ or 4.5 m³ bins. 

Sorting Your Rubbish Correctly

It’s important to keep different types of rubbish separate to avoid issues at disposal. Landfills and sorting stations in New Zealand adhere to clear rules, and mixing waste can lead to delays or fines.

Green waste should never be placed in a hardfill bin, just as bricks or soil don’t belong in a bin meant for household rubbish. Hazardous items, such as chemicals, batteries, or anything flammable, are not permitted in any skip bin and must be disposed of through the appropriate channels.

Skip bins are not designed to take certain items, such as gas bottles, flammable liquids, or large electronics. These require specialist disposal methods. If your load contains anything unusual, check it first before discarding it.

Picking the Right Spot for Delivery

Plan ahead for where your bin will go. You’ll need a flat area with enough room for delivery and collection. If there’s no suitable space on your property, and the bin needs to go on a public street, you may need council permission.

Avoid blocking driveways, footpaths, or shared accessways, and make sure the area is clear before your bin arrives so our drivers can place it safely and without delay.

Understanding Weight Restrictions

Every skip bin has a maximum weight it can hold. If you’re disposing of lightweight waste like cardboard or broken furniture, this usually isn’t a concern. But for bins filled with concrete or soil waste, things can get heavy quickly.

Check the weight allowance before making a booking. Overloaded bins may be too heavy to lift or transport, and you may incur additional charges if the load exceeds the permitted limit.

Matching the Bin to the Task

Here are a few common uses and which bins tend to work best:

  • Moving house: General waste bin for unwanted furniture, boxes, and clothing.
  • Garden Clean-up: Use the green waste bin for branches, clippings, and weeds.
  • Building job: Hardfill bin for broken concrete, bricks, and gravel.

How Long Will You Need the Bin?

If you’re doing a weekend job, a few days might be enough. For larger projects, give yourself a bit more time and consider hiring the bin for a few weeks. At Monsta Bins, our standard hire period is five days; however, you can extend it for just $13 per additional day.

Hire a Skip Bin Today with Monsta Bins

Choosing the right skip bins comes down to understanding your waste, knowing how much of it you’ll have, and matching that with the correct bin size and type. With a bit of planning, you can save yourself the stress of having to sort things out twice or dealing with penalties.

From garden jobs to full-scale renovations, Monsta Bins has a solution for every kind of mess. Not sure which size or type is best for you? Get in touch, and let us help you get sorted. Need a bin? Monsta it!