Dangerous Chemicals That Cannot Go in a Skip

Hiring a skip is said to be the most effective method of waste disposal because a wide variety of different materials can be placed inside. With this said, most hire companies have strict rules and regulations when it comes to dangerous materials like asbestos, plasterboard and car tyres as these must be taken to specialist recycling facilities. Read on as the team here at PWM Skip Hire go over 3 chemicals that can be found inside materials that are unsuitable for skip disposal…

Mercury

Many clients presume that fluorescent bulbs are suitable for skip disposal because they are made from glass, a recyclable material, however the mercury that is contained inside is incredibly dangerous. In fact, mercury is highly toxic when inhaled which is why it is considered a form of toxic-waste and should always be taken to a suitable recycling facility rather than placed inside a skip.

Lead

The chemicals that are found inside batteries tend to differ depending on their size and use. With this said, the majority tend to contain a range of different heavy metals including mercury, copper, zinc, lithium and lead. In fact, large batteries such as those used inside cars contain lead acid which is very hazardous for both humans and the environment. This means that incorrect battery disposal can cause these toxic chemicals to leak which is why they should never be disposed of in a skip or in a general waste bin.

Solvents and Paints

There are a variety of different chemicals found inside solvents and paints that actually require a licence in order to handle which means that the majority of skip hire companies will not be able to accept them. After all, many contain ethanol which is incredibly combustible and can lead to chemical burns if they come into contact with the skin. As a result, solvents and paints should always be disposed of by a licenced company.

Although the team here at PWM Skip Hire would love to say that we accept every single material in our skips, we have to put the safety of our drivers first. After all, asbestos is highly toxic and should only be handled by experts in asbestos disposal and the chemicals found in batteries can be highly toxic to our environment when they are not disposed of at a suitable facility. To find out more information about the materials not suitable for skip disposal, get in contact with the best skips Manchester has to offer and speak to a member of the PWM team today!