Items Prohibited from Skip Bins

Planning to hire a skip bin from Forrest Bins in Brisbane or Gold Coast for your home renovation or clean-up project? It’s crucial to know which items cannot be placed in skip bins and the reasons behind these restrictions by the government.

Forrest Bins do not accept these regulated wastes.

Items You Cannot Place in Skip Bins

1. Asbestos: Asbestos is highly hazardous and poses serious health risks when its fibres are inhaled. It can cause diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Asbestos requires specialized disposal methods and should be handled by professionals.
2. Batteries (containing liquid): Liquid-containing batteries can leak harmful chemicals and heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury, which are dangerous to both the environment and human health. They can also cause fires if they short-circuit or are damaged, so they need to be disposed of through specialized recycling facilities.
3. Chemicals: Chemicals can be toxic, corrosive, flammable, or reactive, posing significant health and environmental hazards. Improper disposal can lead to chemical spills, fires, and contamination of soil and water sources. Chemicals require special handling and disposal at designated facilities.
4. EPA Regulated Waste or Dangerous Goods: EPA regulated waste and dangerous goods include various hazardous substances that require special management to prevent environmental pollution and health risks. These substances can be toxic, flammable, or reactive, and their improper disposal can lead to severe environmental damage and safety hazards.
5. Food Waste: Food waste can decompose and produce foul odors, attract pests, and create unsanitary conditions. It can also generate liquid waste that may leak and contaminate the surrounding area. Proper composting or waste treatment methods are necessary for food waste disposal.
6. Gas Cylinders (empty or full): Gas cylinders, whether empty or full, can contain pressurized gases that pose explosion and fire hazards. If they are damaged or exposed to high temperatures, they can rupture or explode. Safe disposal requires handling by specialized facilities equipped to manage pressurized containers.
7. Large Quantities of Styrofoam such as Coldroom Paneling, Insulated Roofing etc.: Large amounts of Styrofoam are bulky and difficult to compress, taking up excessive space in skip bins. Styrofoam is also non-biodegradable and has long-lasting environmental impacts. Specialized recycling processes are needed to properly handle and recycle Styrofoam materials.
8. Putrescible Waste Liquids (whether contained in drums etc or not): Putrescible waste liquids, such as food waste liquids, can produce strong odors, attract pests, and create unsanitary conditions. These liquids can leak and contaminate the surrounding area, necessitating proper disposal methods to manage them safely and hygienically.
9. Tyres or Machinery Tracks: Tyres and machinery tracks are large, heavy, and difficult to compact. They require specific recycling processes to recover valuable materials and prevent environmental pollution. In landfills, tyres can trap gases and potentially float to the surface, disrupting landfill operations.
10. Wet Paint: Wet paint contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to the environment and human health. If spilled, wet paint can contaminate soil and water sources and release harmful fumes. Designated facilities are required to safely handle and treat wet paint.

These restrictions ensure waste is managed safely and responsibly, protecting both public health and the environment.

Key Guidelines

• Prohibited Items Removal: If prohibited items are found in the skip bin, the customer must remove them. Bins containing these items will not be collected.
• Legal Responsibilities: The customer will be responsible for any illegal items found during disposal, including paying additional fees and facing legal consequences.
• Filling the Bin: Ensure the skip bin is filled only to the rim. Overfilled bins will not be collected, and additional charges will apply. Drivers are not responsible for compacting waste below the rim, and any damage caused by this must be compensated by the customer.
• Safety Hazards: Skip bins posing potential safety hazards will be refused collection.
• Additional Fees: Penalty or Extra charges will apply as deemed necessary.
• Price Adjustments: Prices are subject to change without prior notice.

For information on where to dispose of prohibited waste, visit Brisbane City and Gold Coast City Council – Waste and recycling facilities’ page. Forrest Bins care about you.