Can You Put Plasterboard in a Skip?
Plasterboard can only go in one of our skips by prior arrangement, because it has to be kept separate from general waste. If it is mixed in with other rubbish, the whole load becomes harder to recycle and dispose of legally, so let us know when you book if your project will produce plasterboard and we will advise on the best way to handle it.
Why Plasterboard Has to Be Kept Separate
Plasterboard is made mainly from gypsum, a material that contains sulphate. When gypsum is buried in landfill alongside biodegradable waste such as food, garden waste, wood or paper, it can react to produce hydrogen sulphide, a toxic gas that smells of rotten eggs. For this reason, gypsum-based waste cannot be landfilled with biodegradable waste and has to be handled separately. The good news is that clean plasterboard can be recycled into new plasterboard and other products, as long as it is kept apart from other materials.
What Counts as Plasterboard Waste?
This includes offcuts from new plasterboard, old boards stripped out of walls and ceilings during renovation, and broken pieces from demolition. Gypsum-based plaster and coving fall into the same category. Boards with paint, wallpaper, nails or screws attached can often still be recycled, but heavily contaminated plasterboard may need different treatment.
How to Keep Plasterboard Separate on Site
On larger jobs, the easiest approach is a separate container or a designated area just for plasterboard, so it never mixes with general building waste. On smaller jobs, bag it up separately and keep it dry, as wet plasterboard is heavier and harder to recycle. Letting your builder or plasterer know at the start of the job helps, as it is much easier to separate waste as you go than to pick it out afterwards. Our guide to clearing builders' waste has more advice on sorting materials on site.
Plasterboard From DIY Projects
Many household waste recycling centres accept small amounts of plasterboard from householders in a separate container, sometimes with a charge or a limit on quantity. Check your local council's rules before you go. For larger amounts, or if you are also hiring a skip for other building waste, talk to us and we will find the right solution.
Other Building Waste
Most other renovation waste, including bricks, concrete, tiles, timber and rubble, can go straight into a skip. Remember that heavy materials fill a skip's weight allowance quickly, so read our guide to skip weight limits before you start, and check our guide on what you can put in a skip for the full list.
