Garden Waste Skip Hire
The right skip size for your garden clearance — with advice on soil surcharges, accepted waste and seasonal tips.
For a typical UK garden clearance, a 4–6 yard skip handles most jobs. Go up to an 8 yard skip if you have heavy landscaping waste, significant soil, old fencing or a large rear garden.
Garden clearances are one of the most common reasons people hire a skip in the UK — particularly in spring and autumn when gardens require the most attention. Whether you're clearing overgrown shrubs, removing an old shed, re-landscaping or just having a general tidy, this guide helps you pick the right skip size and understand the costs. Check our skip hire prices to get an idea of costs before you book.
What Garden Waste Goes in a Skip?
Standard skips accept a wide range of garden waste:
Green waste
- Grass cuttings and turf
- Hedge and bush trimmings
- Tree branches and prunings
- Leaves and plant waste
- Weeds and root balls
Hard waste
- Soil and topsoil (surcharge applies)
- Wooden fencing and panels
- Old sheds (dismantled)
- Paving slabs and bricks
- Gravel and hardcore
Skip Sizes for Garden Clearances
4 Yard Skip — Small Garden Tidy
Ideal for a small garden tidy — one growing season's worth of cuttings, a few bags of leaves and light prunings. Holds 35–45 bags. If you're cutting back overgrown hedges or removing a small flower bed, a 4 yard skip is usually sufficient.
6 Yard Skip — Full Garden Clearance
The most popular size for a full domestic garden clearance. Holds 50–60 bags. Suitable for clearing an overgrown back garden, removing old fencing and adding a moderate amount of soil or turf. Most UK back gardens generate enough waste to fill a 6 yard skip.
8 Yard Skip — Large Garden or Re-Landscaping
For larger gardens, heavy landscaping projects or when removing significant amounts of soil, hard standing or large trees. Holds 60–80 bags. The extra capacity is especially valuable when soil makes up a large proportion of your waste, as it is far heavier than green waste.
Soil Weight Surcharges
Soil is the heaviest common garden waste — approximately 1.5–1.8 tonnes per cubic metre compared to around 0.2 tonnes per cubic metre for green waste. For example, most skip companies apply a weight surcharge when soil forms a significant part of the load. Typical surcharges range from £30–80 extra, depending on volume.
Therefore, to reduce surcharges: remove excess moisture from soil before loading, avoid putting very wet soil in the skip, and mix soil throughout the skip rather than loading it all in one layer. For advice on soil disposal specifically, see our guide on can I put soil in a skip.
However, if your load is mostly soil, alternatives include contacting local soil merchants (clean topsoil often has value), advertising free on Freecycle or Gumtree, or arranging collection by a landscaping contractor who needs fill material.
Green Waste Alternatives to Skips
For light garden clearances, a skip is not always the most cost-effective option. Alternatives include:
- Council green waste collection — most councils offer a subsidised green waste bin service for £30–60 per year, collecting fortnightly. Good for ongoing maintenance but impractical for a single large clearance.
- Household waste recycling centre (HWRC) — free for most green waste if you take it yourself. Practical for small loads but not viable for large clearances without a trailer.
- Home composting — grass, leaves and soft prunings can be composted. Saves skip hire cost for ongoing garden waste but requires a compost area.
- Garden waste bags — council-collected garden waste bags are available in some areas. More expensive per bag than a skip for large volumes, but useful for very small amounts.
Seasonal Tip: When to Book a Garden Skip
Peak demand — book at least 2–3 days ahead. Ideal time for overgrown shrub clearance and garden re-landscaping before summer growth.
Good availability. Dry soil is lighter and easier to load. Best time for patio removal, shed clearance and fence replacement.
High demand for leaf clearance and garden tidying. Book early. Wet conditions mean soil can be significantly heavier — expect surcharges.
Best availability, sometimes lower prices. Ideal for renovation projects. Waterlogged soil in winter will be very heavy — plan accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put soil and turf in a garden waste skip?
Yes — soil and turf are accepted in standard skips but most providers apply a weight surcharge because soil is extremely heavy. Expect to pay an additional £30–80 on top of the base hire price for significant amounts of soil. For loads that are primarily soil, see our dedicated guide on putting soil in a skip.
What skip size do I need for a full garden clearance?
For a full garden clearance of a typical UK domestic garden, a 6 yard skip is usually sufficient. If the garden is large, has heavy landscaping waste, or includes significant amounts of soil, rubble or old fencing, an 8 yard skip is the safer choice. However, if you have a large garden or are doing a full re-landscaping, consider a 10 yard skip.
Is a skip better than a council garden waste bin for large clearances?
A council green waste bin is fine for weekly grass cuttings and small amounts of prunings, but it is completely impractical for a garden clearance. Skip hire is far better for any significant clearance because you can load branches, turf, topsoil, fencing and other bulky items all at once rather than bagging and waiting weeks for collections.
Can I mix garden waste with general household waste in the same skip?
Yes — garden waste can be mixed with general household waste in a standard skip. Some skip companies charge slightly more for mixed loads that include significant amounts of soil as it adds weight, but there is no restriction on mixing green waste with other accepted materials. Nevertheless, prohibited items remain banned regardless of what else is in the skip.
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