decoative-aggregates

Using Decorative Aggregates

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Reds, blues, purples and greens, or even classic Cotswold stone, decorative aggregates can add a splash of colour and life to any outdoor area of your home. So why not consider how you can bring these colours to life!

Garden Colour

In the garden, there are a number of ways that you can use decorative aggregates to spruce up the space!
Starting with an alternative to a patio, why not create your seating area, or even just the ground around a bench using coloured gravel. Making the space stand out from the rest of your garden!
These coloured aggregates make a great addition to your borders too. You might have an array of coloured flowers, bushes and shrubs in your border, and coloured gravel can help to make those colours pop! Another alternative available in our collection is decorative bark. This can help to reduce the growth of weeds in your soil and add to the appearance of your borders.

The Gravel Alternative

If you are not a big gardening fan, or find yourself having less and less time to spend keeping certain parts of your garden looking as attractive as you wish they would, you can always change things out for some coloured gravel. We have seen an increase of people digging up their front lawns or their front borders and replacing them with decorative aggregates, reducing the amount of care they need and increasing the curb appeal.

The Driveway

While many driveways are tarmac or paved, not all of us find this as attractive as a gravel driveway. So why not change the front of your home and add a splash of colour, or even opt for the classic Cotswold stone to keep it classy.
Not only do gravel driveways look great, but they are also a cheaper alternative that you can even do yourself! Creating a gravel driveway yourself is made easy with our digger hire and bulk decorative aggregates. Simply dig out your excess ground, lay a weed proof lining, and add your gravel.

Leftover Gravel

The wonderful thing about leftover decorative aggregates is that they can be used in a number of ways that means they will never go to waste. Outside the home, they can be used and pot toppers, to surround single plants to make them stand out and even in hanging baskets. Inside the home, you can also use them as plan toppers for your indoor plants and even if you give them a good clean, in your fish tank.

For more information about decorative aggregates from Staffordshire Skip Hire, please contact a member of our expert team today who will be happy to assist you.

garden-clearance

Garden Clearance

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Springtime is the perfect time of year to entirely revamp your garden. So why not hire yourself a skip and give yourself a couple of days to strip your garden back to basics, and have it perfect in time for a summer BBQ.

Types Of Garden Waste

When it comes to clearing out your garden, you will find that it might not be all green waste that you need to dispose of. So which types of waste from your garden can go into your skip?
Typically you will be disposing of green waste and soils. This includes grass cuttings, leaves, branches (or even trees) and dug up earth such as soils and mulch. These are all safe to be disposed of in the skip and will be separated appropriately at our nominated recycling facility where soil will be repurposed and greenery will be composted down and used in other ways.
You may also be disposing of old patios, so include slabs, bricks and even chunks of concrete. These too can go into the skip, and will be broken up for further use in concrete and alternative aggregates.
Around your garden, you will find a selection of different liquids. From water containers, to liquid fertiliser, weed killers and assorted other chemicals. Unfortunately, these cannot be disposed of in the skip due to contamination. You should also avoid these going into your drainage system. Please check out the label for the most appropriate disposal or contact your local garden centre for advice.

Reduce The Bulk

Garden waste can be somewhat bulky and take up large amounts of space in the skip. So how can you reduce the bulk and help you to get the most out of your skip? The answer is quite simply to cut things down. If you are disposing of old fence panels, to make the most of your skip, while keeping it below the fill level, break them up so that the majority of the bulk can sit on the bottom of the skip. You can then pile other oddly shaped waste on top of the flat panels. Similarly to the fence panels, if you are disposing of large branches or trees, cutting them down into smaller chunks can help you to fit them into the skip better. You may also wish to remove small branches and leave and put these into the skip separately to compact it down further.
If you are digging up large slabs of concrete, the smaller you can get these the better. Not only will it make it easier for you to lift into the skip, it will also mean that it can be fitted in around other waste.

For more information on hiring a skip for your garden clear out, get in touch with a member of our expert team today who will be more than happy to assist you. You can also check out our range of blogs for more information on how you can utilise skip hire for your home and business.

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Spring Clear Outs

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Every year people vow to do a spring clear out, but how often do we go all out and do a thorough clear out? What a better time to start doing that clear out while many of us are still in lockdown, and the kids have gone back to school?

Not So Yearly

We always start with the best intentions when it comes to our clear outs, but when was the last time you actually had a good old sort out?
By having a yearly clear out, usually in the spring, it gives you the opportunity to remove those things from the house that you no longer need or use. If you have young children, the time between Christmas and your spring clear out allows you to assess the toys that are no longer used, or may even have been broken, giving you more free space in your home. Remember some charity shops will take on the unbroken toys before they head for the skip.
If you keep up with your yearly clear outs, you might find that there are things that haven’t been touched since last year, is it time for them to go too?

Loft Clear Out

When it comes to our loft space, we only tend to go up there to retrieve Christmas decorations, or to put stuff up there out of the way. So if we keep putting stuff up there, how often do we get anything back down? Spend some time routing through your loft space, you’ll be amazed at some of the gems that you find, or even some of the rubbish that you have kept.
When doing a loft clear out, it can give you the chance to inspect your loft too. If you have any leaks you might find that your belongings are growing types of mould, this might be time to show them the skip.

Garden Tidy Up

If you haven’t already filled your skip with the unwanted waste from inside your house, why not take a wander into the garden. Spring is a great time to cut back all the dead parts of your plants, dig up any no longer thriving plants and remove all the general waste that your garden has collected over the year. From old plant cuttings, bits of broken garden furniture to old cracked pots, it’s time to say goodbye.

For more information on hiring the right skip for your clear out check out the range of skips, we offer across Stoke-On-Trent and the surrounding areas. You can also check out our blogs for a range of advice or hints and tips. Alternatively, contact a member of our expert team today who will be happy to assist you.

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Your Guide to Recycling Scrap Metal

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Staffordshire Skip Hire offer skip hire services for a number of different projects across our county, including large refurbishments.

These sort of tasks generate significant amounts of scrap metal, but do you know the best way to get rid of it responsibly? Read our latest blog to find out more.

Why Metal Recycling Is Important

All different types of metal are some of the most important resources on the planet, with stock starting to run low. This is why skip hire companies such as Staffordshire Skip Hire are constantly stressing the importance of recycling scrap metal. Here are three reasons why you should also recycle metal:

Help the Environment – Extracting, refining and producing metal is extremely damaging to the environment, releasing greenhouse gases and metal particles into local ecosystems. Recycling it means we can still enjoy metal supplies without harming the planet.

Save Energy – Energy prices seem to be going up year after year, but recycling metal can help prevent this. It takes plenty of energy to extract virgin ore from the ground and make it into useable material. By recycling one tonne of steel, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by up to 86%, according to industry statistics. Recycling one kilogram of aluminium can actually save enough energy to power a television for three days!

Create Jobs – Across Europe, the aim is to have recycling rates of 70% by 2030, which is just nine years away. Recycling metal is one of the labour-intensive processes, so by doing your bit you will be supporting the economy and the environment.

Get in Touch for More Information

If you have any questions about recycling scrap metal, please do not hesitate to contact Staffordshire Skip Hire today. Our dedicated team of customer service representatives will be more than happy to help. For more advice on our skip hire services, read some of our latest blogs.

What is Grab Lorry Hire and is it the Right Choice for Your Job? 

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If you’re starting a small renovation project, skip hire might seem like the obvious option for waste removal, but have you considered hiring a grab lorry instead? 

What is a grab lorry? 

A grab lorry is a specialist truck with a hydraulic arm that can reach up to 8 meters. Grab lorries are an excellent option for the collection and removal of waste, as they can easily be used to grab waste from hard to reach areas, with the waste then loaded into the back of the lorry to be removed. 

Grab lorry hire

Whether you are a private or commercial customer, we can provide grab lorry hire to collect and dispose of your surplus waste. All you have to do is ensure that your waste is left in an accessible area within 4 meters of an area where our grab lorry can park, and your waste can be removed and disposed of at your convenience. As our grab lorries are equipped with arms that can reach up to 8 meters, they can easily lift waste over hedges and walls too!

No matter the amount of waste you need to have removed, with our grab lorry hire we can remove it efficiently, and make sure it’s cleared and disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.

Is grab lorry hire right for you?

Grab lorries are perfect for removal of a wide range of waste materials, including rubble, bricks, soil, concrete, timber, green waste such as hedges, trees and bushes, and general non-hazardous waste. 

Grab lorry hire is a particularly good option if you lack the space on your property to place a skip. Because a grab lorry only needs to be parked up for a short period of time, grab lorry hire does not require a permit, as skip hire would when a skip needs to be placed in the road.  

 

 

If you have any questions about our skip hire, or grab lorry hire services please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Staffordshire Skip Hire, our team is here to help!

The Importance of Proper Asbestos Removal 

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Asbestos still poses a serious risk when it comes to any demolition or refurbishment work, and it’s extremely important that asbestos is removed and disposed of appropriately and according to legal requirements. 

What is asbestos 

Asbestos refers to six naturally occurring minerals, composed of flexible, soft and heat resistant fibres, which were used for decades as building materials. 

While Asbestos has now been banned in the UK since 1999, buildings constructed prior to this are very likely to contain asbestos in some form. 

What to do if you find asbestos 

If you are concerned that you may have discovered asbestos, it’s important to act appropriately. If the building materials containing asbestos remain intact, they pose very little risk, in this case if possible you must leave these materials intact and seal the area back up. 

When asbestos containing materials are disturbed, asbestos fibres are released into the air, which is where the risk of asbestos is posed. When these fibres are inhaled by people in the surrounding environment, they can lead to serious lung conditions, including lung scarring, and even forms of cancer. The symptoms of asbestos related illness often do not appear for decades after exposure, so treatment is extremely difficult. 

Consequently, if asbestos containing materials have been, or need to be disturbed, you must act quickly to protect yourself and those around you. If you suspect the presence of asbestos, you must halt your work immediately, until this has been confirmed. If the materials are confirmed as containing asbestos, they must be removed and disposed of properly, by qualified professionals- never attempt to remove asbestos yourself. 

Asbestos disposal services 

There are strict regulations around the disposal of asbestos containing materials. Asbestos must only be removed and disposed of by a person who is properly trained, with the right equipment, as any waste with more than 0.1% of asbestos is classed as hazardous waste.

We can aid in the disposal of asbestos-containing materials safely and lawfully, with the correct PPE/RPE, and packing that meets regulatory standards.

 

 

If you have any questions about asbestos disposal, or require our asbestos disposal service please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Staffordshire Skip Hire, our team is here to help!

A Handy Guide to What you Can and Can’t Dispose of in a Skip 

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Skip hire is an excellent waste disposal solution, but no waste management system is a ‘catch all’, and there are certain items that should not be disposed of in a skip. 

As a general rule of thumb, waste can be split into two categories; hazardous and non-hazardous, and it’s actually illegal to mix the two forms of waste, so it’s important that you know what form of waste you need to dispose of, and act accordingly. 

If you’re unsure whether skip hire is the correct solution for your waste disposal, read on for our quick guide to what you can and can’t put in a skip…

What can you put in a skip 

Skips are suitable for a wide range of non-hazardous, household waste, including; wood, soil, rubble, garden waste, furniture, bricks, metal, plasterboard, carpet, and general household rubbish. 

What can’t you put in a skip 

Hazardous waste that cannot be disposed of in a skip includes; asbestos, which should be disposed of by a specialist contractor. Televisions, fridges and other household electrical items, which should be taken to your local recycling centre. Tyres and fluorescent tubes and lightbulbs should also be taken to your local recycling centre for disposal, and not placed in a skip. 

Batteries should not be placed in a skip, and instead should be disposed of in a battery bag requested from your local authority, or placed in battery banks that can often be found in supermarkets. 

If you need to dispose of gas cylinders, you should either return them to the company that they came from to be reused, or take them to your local recycling centre. Medical waste and chemicals and pesticides should never be disposed of in a skip, instead you should contact your local authority to arrange appropriate disposal. 

 

If you have any questions about what you can and can’t put in a skip, or wish to enquire about an item not listed in this blog, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Staffordshire Skip Hire, our team are on hand to advise you!

tv disposal - skip hire

Do I Need a Skip to Dispose of My Old TV?

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One of the most important household items is the television, so it is important to know how to dispose of an old one properly and if a skip hire company can help.

Technology is moving at a fast rate with brands creating new and improved models all the time, this means that older televisions are being disposed of more regularly than ever.

For this blog, Staffordshire Skip Hire will explain all the ways you can dispose of your old TV safely.

The Many Ways to Dispose of an Old TV

Old TV’s are part of the hazardous waste group which means it can have a large environmental impact if it is not disposed of properly. Rather than ending up in landfill, they require special attention to make sure they are not harming the planet.

Here are some ways you can get rid of an old television that is still working –

Donation – To prevent your old TV becoming unnecessary waste you could donate it to family, friends or to a charity that may have a collection service.

Retailer Exchange – A lot of retailers will offer customers the opportunity to part exchange their old TV for a newer model. This service ensures it is recycled correctly and is often run by brands looking to improve their environmental compliance and performance.

Re-Sale – Selling your old TV is another way to stop unnecessary waste and also earn some cash. Sites such as eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace all allow you to list old TV’s.

How to Dispose of Broken TV’s

If your old TV no longer functions, it needs to be classed as waste and disposed of correctly. Here are some options for getting rid of broken televisions –

Local Council – Most councils offer a collection service for old electricals such as TVs. It is always best to check with your local council if they offer this service and if there is a waiting list.

Council-Operated Transfer Station – Getting in touch with a local council operated waste transfer station or recycling centre is another option. Not every centre will accept old TVs, so it is worth checking in advance of taking them there. Once a waste transfer station has your old television you can guarantee it will be recycled in an environmentally friendly manner.

Got any Questions? Contact Us Now

If you have any more questions about how to dispose of your old television responsibly, please get in touch with Staffordshire Skip Hire.

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The Best Way to Load Your Skip

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As part of our skip hire service, Staffordshire Skip Hire has supplied huge amounts of skips to all kinds of people.

We always like to see our skips return in great condition, which is why for this post we have put together a few steps on how to load skips safely.

Tackling Skip Loading Properly

We are fully aware that many of our customers have not been trained in how to fill a skip professionally. This type of training often comes from working on commercial sites, so in order to get things right, simply follow the six steps below –

Before the Skip is Dropped Off – Make sure that the area where the skip is being placed is free from rubbish and any other obstacles. This should be a flat, stable area with easy access for the driver to drop it off. Avoid areas of soggy, marshy ground as the container could sink.

Delivery Day – Keep pets and small children inside when your skip is being dropped off. Ensure you give clear instructions to the driver so the container can be placed where you want it. Finally, make sure everyone stays clear as the skip lorry reverses in.

After Delivery – Do not attempt to move your container once it has been placed on the ground. This can damage the skip plus your property. You could also make it inaccessible when it is time to be collected.

Load it Properly – Ensure you place heavier items at the bottom of your skip, then add lighter materials on top. This will help to avoid ‘subsidence’, meaning items moving around in a hazardous manner. When you are picking up objects, lift your legs and keep your back straight, which also helps avoid back injuries.

Hazardous Items – If you are unsure about adding any hazardous items such as solvents, batteries and oils, do not add them to your skip. These items require more specialised methods of collection and disposal.

Don’t Overfill – Containers have what is known as a ‘fill line’, which is the limit that skips can be filled up to safely. Overfilled skips are a safety hazard and it can be illegal to move them. Do not go past this line to avoid chaos with items falling out over the sides when being transported.

Get in Touch for More Information

If you have any more questions about loading skips, please do not hesitate to contact Staffordshire Skip Hire now.

Skip Hire Stoke-on-Trent

Where Can I Put a Skip?

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Here at Staffordshire Skip Hire, we’re often asked where our clients can place their skip. Due to the variety of regulations that can apply to skip hire, this is an important consideration to have before making a booking. Therefore, we thought it would be a good idea to explore this FAQ for our latest blog.

Where Can My Skip Be Placed?

When you’re hiring a skip, there are a number of factors to take into consideration. One of these is the location on which the skip will be stored. If you find yourself looking at any of our skips for site use, particularly those above 12 Cubic Yards, you’ll need to ensure good site access. Not only this but if what’s being stored inside is expensive, it’s worth ensuring that the site is secure too.

Domestic projects tend to require people to think more carefully about where they can store their skip. For a start, it’s important to note that skips cannot be placed on pavements under any circumstances. When it comes to domestic projects, you have two options:

  • Private Land (Driveway or garden)
  • Public Road

For private land storage, the only concern you may have is whether the surface is appropriate for the skip. However, if you’re planning on placing the skip on a public road, there are some regulations that you will be expected to abide by. Your first port of call should be to acquire a permit.

When Do I Need a Permit for Skip Hire?

If you’re looking to store the skip on a public road, you will be expected to acquire a permit through the local council. Depending on your location, this could be Stoke-on-Trent Council, Staffordshire County Council or Cheshire County Council. If your skip is located on yellow lines or within a pay and display zone, you’ll need to acquire a parking suspension permit in advance of its arrival.

Once the permit has been secured, you will also be expected to follow the regulations set out by the local authority.

This states that:

  • Skips should not be placed anywhere that blocks a driveway, pavement or other access to properties
  • Skips must not be placed over manhole covers or other utility access points
  • You must not position your skip within 15 metres of a junction
  • Skips must be placed length-ways, running parallel to the pavement

There are also requirements that state skips must have a certain amount of lighting and traffic cones around them to ensure they’re visible during the night.

Can a Skip Damage my Property?

Another factor to consider when hiring a skip, particularly those of a larger size and weight is the surface that they’ll be placed upon. This is particularly important if the skip will be placed on private land. Block paved driveways, soft-tarmac driveways or the grass in your garden can all be damaged.

Here at Staffordshire Skip Hire, we will do everything possible to avoid any damage. It’s always worth discussing the surface the skip will be standing on with our experienced team. They will then be able to advise on the right skip and location for your project.

Get in Touch with Staffordshire Skip Hire

Here at Staffordshire Skip Hire, our team works hard to give you the best advice and stress-free service. As a part of this, our experienced and friendly team will ensure that all of the specified requirements are met in advance of dropping off your skip. We can also apply for the permit on your behalf if you’re placing it on the road. In fact, some councils prefer to deal directly with the skip hire company.

If you have any questions regarding our range of skip hire or other services, please contact us. Alternatively, if you feel prepared to make a booking, you can do so using our online booking form. With a range of commercial and domestic skip solutions, you’re guaranteed to find the right skip for your project.

Here at Staffordshire Skip Hire, we offer the cheapest local hire services across Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and Cheshire. Whether you’re working on a site in Longton or domestically in Leek, we’ve got you covered. For a full list of our areas covered can be found on our website. For more information, FAQs, news and tips, you can also check out our blog.