What Size Skip Bins Do I Need for my Rubbish Removal?

What skip sizes are available for Rubbish Removal near me?

In 1,000s of locations across Australia we have a huge range of skip bin sizes from 2 cubic metres (m³) to 30 cubic metres (m³). In the smaller range from 2.0m³ (2 cubic metre) to 4.0m³ that are generally solid sided mini-skips. Then in the mid-range between 6.0m³ to 12.0m³ there Marrell skip bins with and without doors. At the top end of bin capacity there are hook lift bins that range in size from 6.0m³ to 30.0m³ which usually have large rear doors for easy loading. But before you can choose a skip bin size you should work out what volume of rubbish you have for removal.

What quantity of waste is there?

One of the most frequently asked questions we get is; "What Size Skip Bin Do I Need?" and the honest answer is well what quantity of waste do you have? So for this reason it is important at least to make an educated guess rahter than just picking a size. The better you guess or estimate the closer to the right size skip bin you will get. Often people underestimate the volume of waste they have and then need a second bin.

Getting the right size bin is always best, so it is worth a little effort to make an educated guess (rather than just a guess).

Here are some ideas about how to estimate what amount of waste you have. This will help you whether you are embarking on minor renovations or clearing out a warehouse full of domestic goods.

1. Look at your waste and see it in terms of familiar volumes
2. Do some simple maths to calculate the volume of your waste
3. Phone Bins Skip Waste and Recycling up and ask the question and we will do our best to help you.

Skip bin size is simple when you can picture a cubic metre

A cubic meter is just like a cardboard box that has measurements of 1m tall by 1m wide and 1m deep.  So how many cardboard boxes of that size do you think you will fill? Below is a photo of students who have created a cubic meter using rules.

Other measures that we have found people are familiar with, and convenient are 6 by 4 trailers, wheelie bins, wheel-barrows.

Other measures that we have found people are familiar with, and convenient are 6 by 4 trailers, wheelie bins, wheel-barrows.

Standard Trailer Loads make sizing simple

The standard 6 foot by 4 foot trailer seems to a be a measure that many women and most men can picture. So how many trailer do you think you will fill?  By coincidence a 6x4 trailer loaded level with the top of the trailer is about 1 cubic meter in volume.  So if you know how many trailer loads you have, that is the number of cubic meters your bin will need to be.

The measure we find most women are familiar with is the wheelie bin.  Now the only thing to be careful with here is that wheelie bins come in different sizes.  The 2 most popular sizes are the 330 litre bin and the 250 litre wheelie bin.  For every three 330 litre wheelie bins you will need a cubic meter of skip bin. So a 2 cubic meter bin is the same as six 330 litre wheelie bins of waste. Similarly, it would take four 250 litre wheelie bins of rubbish to fill a cubic meter.  So the 2 cubic meter bin would hold the same as eight 250 litre wheelie bins.

Simple and convenient maths to calculate your amount of waste

Some times it easier to measure the pile of rubbish.  This maybe because you have a pile of rubbish, or you are going to dig out some soil you want to get rid of, or it might just be you have a pile of rubbish on the front lawn that your wife has threatened you over.  The basic measurements you need are the height the depth and the width of the rubbish pile.

In the case of the concrete slab you are breaking up you just need the area of the slab (length time width) and the depth. So for the slab from the old shed it might be 3.5m by 2 meters (7.0 meter square) multiplied by the thickness of the concrete 125mm (or 0.125M). Total solid volume is 0.875 cubic meters.  When you break up this solid volume you can easily double the volume needed for it because of the space between the broken pieces of concrete. This could mean you would ant the next size up from 1.75 cubic meters. Yes a 2 cubic meter bin.

Finally lets try the pile of rubbish which is really a sort of cone shape (upside down).  The volume of the cone is as simple as the diagram below:

Where the number ? is a mathematical constant, the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, commonly approximated as 3.14159. r is the radius of the pile or more simple half the average distance from one side of the pile to the other. And last but not least h is the height of the pile of rubbish.

So if the pile is 1.5m high and 5m across.  h would be 1.5, r is 2.5. So the volume needed is 

( 3.14159 x 2.5 x 2.5 x 1.5 ) / 3  = 9.81 Cubic meters

Confused? Just give us a phone call and we'll help you work it out.

Frequently asked questions about skip bin sizes

What is the difference between a Marrell Skip Bin and a Hook Lift Bin?

Hook bins are square in shape and usually have easy access by a rear door to the bin, where as Marrell bins have sloping sides and ends so they can be stacked inside of other bins. Hook bins are pushed off the back of the truck by a hydraulic arem whereas the Marrell skips bins are lifted off the back of the truck by 4 chains attached two arms that rotate back.

What skip bin sizes can be used for heavy materials?

The largest bins are not suitable for heavy materials as they would become too heavy to lift on to the trucks when filled with bricks concrete or soil. Small Marrell trucks are unable to lift more than about 3 tonnes.

What size bin is best for green waste?

Green waste is a bit different to house-hold or garage waste as it takes up less space in a bin because it can usually be compacted down. To see what space you need for green waste click on the photo below: