3 Liquids You Should Never Place Into a Skip Bin

Certain liquids, such as petrol or old paint, can be harmful to your health and the health of anyone else who interacts with the skip bin. If you plan to hire a skip bin in the near future, refrain from placing the following liquids in it.

1. Old or Unwanted Paint Tins

When clearing out a house or building, you may have difficulty deciding what to do with old paint tins. However, you shouldn’t throw old paint into a bin or skip bin. To do that would lead to a number of environmental and health-related problems.

If your paint is quite old or you are unable to date it, it could very well contain harmful amounts of lead. Before 1965, paints contained 50% lead. However, that was later reduced to 1% in 1965, before ending up at 0.1% in 1997. But what is so dangerous about lead?

Lead causes a number of health conditions and can damage your organs and brain if you are exposed to a large dose or small doses over a long period. Paint also contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as xylene and formaldehyde, which are toxic to humans. Don't dispose of old paint in a skip bin.

Talk to your council about Household Chemical CleanOut events in your area, or consult your skip bin provider, who should be able to advise you on paint disposal.

2. Old Oil

Oil, whether of the kitchen kind or the kind that goes in your car, should never be put into a skip bin—in any form. Obviously, the main worry in regards to oil is its ability to catch fire. Containers of oil, even those that contain just a few drops, can become a fire hazard if left outside in a skip bin during a hot summer day.

If you have some cooking oil to dispose of, a cooking oil disposal service can dispose of it for you. You can also call your local council if you have any motor-engine oil to dispose of. They will direct you to the nearest oil disposal facility. Don't forget, however, that even old rags with oil on them can still catch fire if left in a skip bin on a hot day.

According to the Metropolitan Fire Service in South Australia, oil or paint-covered rags may spontaneously combust if heated past its ignition point. A hot Australian sun can do that.

3. Water

Although water might seem like it doesn't belong on this list, water can scupper your attempts to utilize your skip bin to its fullest potential. While you probably won't throw containers of water into your skip bin, you might put water into your skip bin in other ways.

For instance, water-soaked materials, such as cardboard or even old clothing, can increase the weight of your skip bin considerably. When filling your skip bin then, ensure that you can cover it should it begin to rain. While many skip bins do have drains underneath, those drains can become clogged by grass or debris, causing the skip bin to retain the water.

Talk to Your Skip Bin Provider

If you have any doubts at all about what to throw into a skip bin, find a reputable skip bin provider near you. As well as help you dispose of household, green or building-site waste among other waste items, a good skip bin provider, such as Green Bins in Adelaide, should also offer customer's advice.

With our help, you can dispose of your waste safely and responsibly, with minimal risk.