A Guide to Waste Types in Glasgow
Which service suits which waste? A practical guide to common waste streams for Glasgow homes, businesses and building sites.
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Choosing the right service starts with knowing what kind of waste you have. A garden clear-out in Clarkston, a pub refit in Finnieston and a demolition job in Coatbridge all produce very different materials, and each is best handled in a different way.
This guide groups the most common waste streams and points you to the service that usually suits each one. Some materials can go in a general skip, some are better collected separately for recycling, and some are classed as special waste in Scotland and need specialist handling by licensed partners.
If you have a mix of waste types or are unsure how to classify something, call 0333 121 1056 or describe your waste on our quote form.
General, household and bulky waste
Mixed household waste from clear-outs and renovations – furniture (not upholstered seating), timber, packaging, flooring and general rubbish – is well suited to a domestic skip. If you would rather not have a skip outside, rubbish removal or a bulky waste collection loads it for you. Garden waste such as cuttings and branches can go in a skip or be collected separately through a garden waste collection. For a whole property, a house clearance deals with furniture and contents in one visit.
Heavy and construction waste
Soil, rubble, bricks, concrete and hardcore are heavy, so they are normally limited to skips of 8 yards or smaller. For larger volumes, grab hire and muck away are often more efficient. Mixed construction and demolition waste suits builders’ skips or RORO containers. Plasterboard should be kept separate – see plasterboard recycling. Excavated soil that may be contaminated – common on former industrial land – needs testing and specialist disposal rather than a standard skip.
Commercial and recyclable waste
Businesses across Glasgow must separate dry recyclables under the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012. Regular wheelie bin collections cover general waste, mixed recycling, cardboard, glass and food waste. Food businesses producing over 5kg of food waste a week must keep it separate. Electrical equipment is WEEE and goes to a dedicated WEEE collection, which is primarily for commercial quantities. If equipment contains batteries, declare them when requesting a quote. Offices clearing IT kit can ask about certificates of destruction for data-bearing devices.
Special and restricted waste
Asbestos, chemicals, paints and solvents, oils and fuels, batteries, gas bottles and fluorescent tubes need specialist handling. Many are special waste in Scotland and travel with a consignment note. Upholstered seating may contain POPs and must be collected separately. Start with our hazardous waste disposal page.
The safest approach is to keep anything you are unsure about out of your skip and mention it when you enquire. Our licensed partners can then arrange the right collection and paperwork rather than finding a problem item at the tip.
Usually fine in a general skip
- Household rubbish and packaging
- Wood and timber
- Garden waste
- Bricks, rubble and soil (smaller skips)
- Metals
- Non-upholstered furniture
- Kitchen and bathroom units
- Flooring and tiles
Needs a separate or specialist service
- Asbestos
- Plasterboard (unless agreed)
- Tyres
- Gas bottles
- Batteries
- Paints, solvents and chemicals
- Fridges, freezers and other WEEE
- Fluorescent tubes
- Clinical waste
- Oils and fuels
- Upholstered seating (POPs)
Not sure? See what can go in a skip or ask us when you book.
Waste Types – your questions answered
Can’t see your question? Call 0333 121 1056 or send us a message.
What if I have a mix of waste types?
Most mixed household and building waste can share a skip, as long as restricted items are kept out. Anything special or restricted can be collected separately. Tell us what you have and we will suggest a combination.
Is plasterboard hazardous?
Plasterboard is not usually special waste, but it should be kept apart from general waste because of how it behaves in landfill. Collect it separately or in a dedicated container.
What counts as special waste in Scotland?
Special waste is Scotland’s term for hazardous waste – for example asbestos, many chemicals, oils and some batteries. It moves with a consignment note. See special waste documentation.
Can electrical items go in a skip?
No. Fridges, TVs, monitors and other electrical items are WEEE and should be collected separately for recycling.
Get a free, no-obligation quote
Tell us what you need, where and when. Photos, data sheets or site plans help us price accurately – our licensed local partners do the rest.
Skips Glasgow provides skip hire, waste collection, recycling and construction support across Glasgow through Waste Cloud’s network of licensed local partners.