How to prevent other people using the skip you paid for

When you’ve got a lot of rubbish to get rid of, there’s no more convenient way to manage it than with a skip outside your house.

Unfortunately, other people sometimes feel the same way about your container and decide there’s no harm in chucking in a few things of their own.

But that’s your skip that you paid for, and you’re entitled to decide what goes in it, especially when you’ve carefully measured out your waste volumes.

So here’s a few tips on how to dissuade opportunists from trying to get a free ride with your skip hire.

Keep your skip on your property

The easiest way to prevent people from trying to use your skip is to keep it on your driveway or in your garden.

Someone would have to trespass on your property to use your skip, and they’re a lot less likely to do that because of the risk of getting caught.

Plus, there’s the added bonus of not having to apply for a skip hire permit from the local authorities if you’re not using the public highway, saving you time and money.

Lockable doors

With a locked skip, you won’t have to worry about midnight dumpers sneaking over to fill up your bin.

As well as stopping people from using your skip, lockable doors also protect flammable waste from catching fire from a stray cigarette. They’re also a good solution for confidential waste, like office paperwork.

Call our team today to discuss hiring a skip with a lockable door.

Hang a sign

A sign works as a deterrent and lets people know you won’t take kindly to anyone making use of your skip.

Make it clear that the skip has been hired privately and that throwing their own waste into it qualifies as fly-tipping in the eyes of the law.

Fly-tipping is a crime and can lead to unlimited fines and jail time of up to five years.

MORE: Fly-tipping in Suffolk: The continued blight on our county

Lighting and cones

When you keep your skip outside on a public highway, it should already be fitted with lights to help motorists spot it in the dark.

Lights also deter fly-tippers from using your skip, because it gives the impression that it’s being actively monitored.

Traffic cones, as well as being a useful safety precaution, can also make a skip look like it shouldn’t be tampered with.

MORE: Skip hire safety: Tips for avoiding danger when hiring a skip

Homes security camera

Home security cameras can be picked up quite cheaply these days, so if you’re worried about people using your skip, it might be worth the investment.

Most modern security cameras allow you to check the live feed and recorded footage from your smartphone or computer, giving you complete control even when you’re not at home.

Post a sign on the skip to let would-be fly-tippers know they’re being watched.

Keep the camera focused on the area around your container and not at any neighbours’ homes to protect others’ privacy.

Be neighbourly

If someone on your street does have a little waste they want to get rid of and you can spare the space in your skip, it might be nice to offer it to them.

Finish your own waste management first so you know how much space you’ve got left before being a good neighbour.

If you know someone close by with a significant amount of waste to get rid of, you may be able to save money on your skip hire by splitting the cost with them.

Ready for your skip? Book yours online or call our team to confirm your skip hire over the phone.