Earth Day provides a chance to reflect on how we can make the world a greener and more sustainable place. Did you know, 99% of the waste we collect and manage is diverted from landfill? But a lot of people still don’t know what happens to their waste once it’s collected.
Skips are intended to make waste disposal as quick and convenient as possible, but we often put little thought into what happens to the rubbish in our skips after they are collected. If, this Earth Day, you are thinking more about what happens to your waste after it’s collected in a skip, keep on reading to find out.
What can go in a skip?
Generally, you can dispose of most typical household waste in a skip. This includes waste such as soil, rubble, bricks and garden waste. You can also throw broken furniture, cardboard and more away in a skip too.
Despite the variety, there are some items that cannot be disposed of in a skip. This includes waste that needs to be disposed of carefully, such as asbestos, batteries or fluorescent lighting. If you’re not sure what can go into a skip we have a handy list of restricted and prohibited items.
Once upon a time, most of the waste disposed of in a skip would have gone straight to landfill, but fortunately this is simply not the case anymore. Instead, responsible waste businesses like Norris are set-up to repurpose or recycle as much of the waste as possible. As we mentioned, 99% of our waste is diverted from landfill.
Where do skips get emptied?
In order to recycle as much of the waste as possible, the skips are taken to one of our waste transfer stations, we have 3 in Brixton, Greenwich and Orpington. Skips can be full of metal, wood, plastic, soil and so much more, all of which needs to be separated and categorised to divert it from landfill.
The larger or bulkier waste is removed first, and then the remainder is sorted by type so it can be treated and processed as needed.
Our grabbers will take out large items and do an initial sort. We then place volumes of waste onto what is essentially a large, multi-level conveyor. The waste is shaken, with smaller elements dropping through the levels. We can then use a variety of methods, such a magnets to identify different waste types.
Larger items then go through to out sorting team, who each of whom is responsible for identifying certain waste types. Each waste ‘stream’ is put into a chute.
So we end up with piles of wood, glass, rubble, card, and we’ll explore what happens to each of those, later in this article.
Do skips get recycled?
They certainly do! Much of the waste that is disposed of in a skip can now be recycled.
Responsible waste businesses like Norris have to work towards a policy of sending as little waste to landfill as possible. To achieve this, companies often recycle or reuse whatever waste they can. As an example, old wood and chipboard is cleaned and shredded before being turned into new wooden products or used in the horticulture sector.
This is why there are restrictions around what you can and can’t put in a skip. If we find an item that requires specialist treatment, it can be problematic and slows down our sorting process. Well organised skips are sorted quickly, meaning we can help recycle even more waste.
What happens to skip waste?
Once the waste from a skip has been sorted into different types, it is then processed before being recycled, reused or disposed of in landfill if necessary. These are called waste ‘streams’
Glass
Once it has been filtered out from the waste, glass is usually washed and then crushed down. The clean, crushed glass can then be used to make aggregates that can be used in paving or underneath concrete slabs. Waste glass used in this manner can then be recycled over and over again.
Wood
Wood is cleaned and sorted into two grades. Clean timber is used to create animal bedding and in high-end manufacturing processes.
Lower grade wood is shredded and used to create cheaper materials, such as chipboard, ply, and MDF board. It can also be used to create biofuel and fuel pellets for household use.
Soil
Waste, clean soil is used to decontaminate and reconstruct large areas of land. A common use for this is in the remodelling of green spaces such as golf courses.
Bricks, concrete and rubble
Bricks, concrete and rubble are sorted, cleaned and crushed. These new aggregates can then be used by construction companies.
Metal
Metal is always in high demand around the world. Waste metal in skips is cleaned, and all of the wood, rubber and plastic is removed. This metal is then melted at very high temperatures to purify it, before pouring it into moulds for future reuse.
Paper and card
Paper and card are soaked in water to make a pulp. This pulp is then processed to get rid of any contaminants, and then washed to remove ink.
Once the pulp has been cleaned, it is made into new paper products. Low grade pulp is made into packaging, and higher grade pulp is turned back into usable paper or newsprint.
You can find out more about how we sort and manage waste on our Where Waste Goes page.
Why ethical waste disposal is important
Disposing of waste in an ethical manner is of crucial importance, and not just on Earth Day. Over time, individuals and businesses alike are paying more attention to how they can support the environment, and ethical waste disposal is just another tool in this arsenal.
Ensuring our methods of disposing of waste are ethical and sustainable is even more important because each year, the average person in Europe can create 6 tonnes of waste. Without care, this waste can end up filling up landfill sites, where it can end up staying for thousands of years.
In recent years, steps have been taken to divert as much of this waste away from landfill as possible, and this is something that local councils, waste processing companies and individuals can all get involved with.
How to choose an environmentally friendly skip company
Once upon a time, the key focus for most people when it comes to choosing a skip company would be cost. Today, however, choosing a skip company that is ethical and places genuine emphasis on looking after the environment is much more important.
By choosing a reputable, licensed skip hire company such as Norris, you can rest assured that your skip waste will have the minimum possible impact on the environment. All the waste that we collect is sorted at our own processing sites, before being sorted into individual waste streams.
From here, all the glass, wood, soil, brick, metal, and paper are processed and screened separately so it can be recycled or reused. This meticulous attention to waste processing means that 99% of waste that is collected by Norris is diverted away from landfill.
If you’re planning to clear out your home this Spring, make your first port of call arranging skip hire through the experts at Norris. When you hire a skip with us, you can benefit from our great customer service, and rest easy with the knowledge that we will divert 99% of the contents of your skip away from landfill.
We hope that Earth Day 2022 gives you a chance to reflect on ways you can reduce waste. But when waste happens, and it will, it’s always worth making sure the waste management business you use cares about the planet. That’s why Norris customers can rest assured that their waste will managed effectively on Earth Day and every single day in between.
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