Generally, most non-hazardous waste can go into your skip. This includes garden waste, wood, metal, plastics, furniture, bricks, and non-electrical fittings. However, items such as asbestos, tires, electrical equipment, paint cans, batteries, fluorescent tubes, solvents, medical waste, gas cylinders, and any other hazardous waste are prohibited. Always check with your skip hire company for their specific guidelines.

The size of the skip you'll need depends on the amount of waste you're planning to dispose of. For small domestic projects like garden clearances or minor renovations, a mini skip (2-3 cubic yards) may suffice. For larger home improvements, a midi skip (4-5 cubic yards) is often suitable. Major renovation or construction projects might require a builder's skip (6-8 cubic yards) or even a large skip (10-14 cubic yards).

Your skip should ideally be placed on private property like your driveway or garden. If you don't have a suitable space and the skip needs to be placed on a public road or land, you'll usually require a skip permit from your local council.

You will need a skip permit when you want to place your skip on public property, such as a road or a grass verge. Skip licenses are granted by your local council, and the skip hire company often handles this process. Make sure to inquire about this when you hire your skip.

The typical hire period for a skip is 14 days, but this can vary between different companies. It's always worth checking with your skip hire company about their specific hire periods. If you need the skip for longer, you can often arrange this for an additional fee.

There are a number of alternatives to traditional skip hire. These include:

1. Grab & Tipper Hire: These vehicles are equipped with a hydraulic arm that can grab and load waste, making them an efficient choice for large waste disposal projects, particularly with heavier materials that are difficult to load into a skip.

2. Roll On Roll Off Skips (RORO): RORO skips are larger and perfect for commercial and industrial uses, particularly construction and demolition projects. Their large capacity means fewer collections are needed, saving time and resources.

3. Front End Loaders (FELs) & Rear End Loaders (RELs): FELs and RELs are types of large, secure bins used for commercial waste. They're lifted by specialized vehicles and are suited to businesses generating a lot of waste. These can be emptied on a regular schedule.