Along with a whole range of prohibited items from skips, logs, stumps, trees and particular types of vegetation are not allowed to go in a skip. Read our ultimate guide to understand your role.

What tree and stump waste can go in a skip?

Ultimately, most green waste from routine tree work is fine to be placed in a skip. With just a couple caveats.

• Branches, brush, hedge trimmings and logs providing they can be sensibly lifted by one person.

• Leaves, needles, cones are simple to remove.

• Woodchip and sawdust from untreated wood

Whole stumps are not allowed into a skip. However, the majority of our suppliers will accept stumps providing they are cut into small sections, with minimal soil attached. 

Check our booking form for accepted waste types. Many suppliers allow a mixed “green waste” skip, and some accept limited clean soil. If you are mixing soil, wood and general rubble, you may need a mixed C&D skip rather than green-only.

With many councils like our local Maidstone council introducing a yearly fee to remove garden waste via brown bin collections, any many not getting the value out of it, or not wanting to babysit a wheelie bin for the off chance of some garden work. 

What cannot go in a skip and why

• Japanese knotweed and other invasive non-native plants, including soil containing rhizomes. These are controlled. Off-site disposal is tightly regulated and usually requires permitted facilities or specific methods set out in EA guidance and outlined by gov.uk. Do not put them in a regular skip.

• Treated or hazardous timber from refurb works, like creosoted fence posts or old railway sleepers. Many items in the “amber list” are now treated as hazardous from demolition and must be segregated and consigned, you can read our full guidance on the new wood regulations here.

• Bird-active nests or any work that would disturb nesting birds. Time your job to avoid nesting or get the site checked by a competent person.

Stumps and root balls

You can put stump sections in a skip if they are cut down to sensible sizes and free of heavy soil. Many operators restrict whole root balls because of weight. Where the root plate is packed with soil and stone, treat it as heavy mixed waste and confirm acceptance before you book.

Pro tip: if the stump will be ground out, you can bag the clean grindings for composting or mulch on site, provided there are no invasive plant risks.

Soil

To keep things safe and legal, heavy inert waste like soil, clay, hardcore and rubble can only go in a maximum 6 cubic yard skip only. Larger skips are for lighter waste. Do not heap soil above the sides or the max fill line, since weight limits apply at collection. If you have a mix, put soil and rubble in a 6 yard skip and book a separate skip for lighter green waste. If you are unsure, check our and the .

Final words

We hope this clears things up for those of you tackling a garden project. Final advice is chop up bits to small enough for one person to carry, and don’t book a big skip if you are filling with soil.