Why you should hire a skip to clear out your office waste

For the diligent office manager, finding the most efficient method for managing office waste can be a real headache.

There are plenty of options out there to suit different office waste types and volumes, but for a big clear-out, hiring a skip is the most hassle-free and affordable way to go.

If your workspace is getting on the cluttered side, it might be time to book a skip and get your office waste taken care of…

The importance of proper office waste management

Office spaces generate a lot of waste, and if it isn’t properly managed, you can end up with all sorts of problems on your hands.

Paper and cardboard attract pests like rats and cockroaches and if they work their way into your office, disease can spread fast.

Flammable office waste left lying around, such as stacks of documents or broken desks, should be removed due to the serious fire hazard they present.

Every business in the UK is responsible for their own business waste disposal and faces hefty fines under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 if they don’t find a suitable solution.

Getting an audit of your office waste management

A professional skip hire company like SunSkips is always happy to visit your office and conduct an audit to improve your waste management processes – from sorting to disposal.

There may be opportunities to reduce waste that you’ve overlooked, or savings being left on the table by not recycling or compacting waste before disposal.

The first step is to identify the types of waste your office generates:

Paper and cardboard waste

Paper waste includes old newspapers, magazines, printer paper, and cardboard boxes. This can be reduced by switching to paperless communication (using email and digital documents) and encouraging employees to recycle and reuse paper.

You might consider hiring a skip from SunSkips with a lockable lid to prevent fires when stored outside and protect confidential information from prying eyes.

Electronic waste

Old computers, printers, and fax machines often need getting rid of in offices. Many of these items can be recycled, so it’s important to use a skip hire company that can process them properly.

SunSkips can recycle most electronic waste, but small additional fees apply to TVs and monitors.

Furniture waste

Office furniture goes through a lot of wear and tear, so chairs, desks, and filing cabinets regularly find themselves in need of an upgrade. These old items can often be recycled, if not sold or donated to charity.

All furniture waste is suitable for loading into a skip.

Plastic waste

Plastic bags, packaging, cups, bottles, and Styrofoam often make their way into offices and are some of the hardest things to recycle.

Plastic waste can be reduced by encouraging employees to use reusable water bottles and coffee mugs, as well as switching to plastic-free office supplies, such as paper clips made from metal or glass.

MORE: Plastics that can be recycled: a guide to sorting plastics in the UK

Other office waste types

Glass and metal waste can be recycled. A strong, metal skip is ideal for this type of waste as it ensures it’s properly contained and that the jagged edges won’t hurt anyone.

However, food waste like scraps, coffee grounds, and tea bags aren’t accepted in skips due to contamination. For large volumes of food waste, SunSkips recommends specialist Organic Waste Logistics (OWL), which offers an innovative solution to preventing food waste from ending up in landfill.

Hazardous waste like old batteries and fluorescent light bulbs can be collected by SunSkips for an additional fee, while chemicals, asbestos and gas cylinders need to be managed by a hazardous waste specialist.

What skip size is best for an office clearout?

The size of the skip you’ll need depends on the amount of waste your office generates.

Use our skip size guide to find the most appropriate one for your office so you have plenty of space to dispose of all your office waste without having to worry about overfilling the skip (it’s cheaper to buy the right size than end up forking out for two once you realise it isn’t big enough).

MORE: How does skip hire work?: The complete 10-step process

Where will the skip be placed and will we need a permit?

Ideally, your skip will be placed on your premises with ample access for our lorries to deliver and collect it. The office car park is usually a good option and an 8-yard skip will fit into a standard space perfectly.

If you don’t have private land, your skip can be placed on the public highway outside your office, but you’ll need to get a skip hire permit from your local authority first (SunSkips can take care of that for you).

How often will the skip be collected?

If you need the skip for a one-off clear-out, it’ll be picked up on the agreed collection date.

For regular removals, we can work out the optimal frequency for collection and replacement with you to keep your waste flow moving steadily and efficiently.

Why choose SunSkips for your office waste clear-out

SunSkips offers a wide range of skip sizes, so you can be sure we’ll have the size you need when you need it.

You won’t find better customer service and value for money anywhere else in East Anglia, and our friendly drivers and support staff make the process a breeze.

MORE: 5 top reasons customers keep coming back to SunSkips

Improper office waste management can lead to environmental pollution and missing opportunities to reduce and recycle waste will impact your bottom line as it’s much cheaper than paying sky-high landfill taxes.

SunSkips is the sustainable waste management solution that uses meticulous screening lines to extract as much recyclable material from office waste as possible.

Looking for the best way to manage your office’s waste? Get in touch with SunSkips for a quote today.