Booking the right bin isn't just about size — it's about waste type. Put the wrong material in and you can cop a contamination fee, or worse, have the driver refuse the pickup. Here's how the categories actually work.
The four main waste types
- General / mixed waste: The catch-all. Household junk, furniture, clothing, toys, light renovation offcuts, small amounts of timber and metal. Most bookings are this type.
- Green waste: Branches, prunings, grass, leaves, small stumps. Green-only bins are often cheaper because the material is processed into mulch — but a single couch thrown on top contaminates the load.
- Mixed heavy waste: General waste plus soil, brick, tile, concrete or rubble. Weight limits apply and heavy material is usually restricted to smaller bin sizes.
- Clean fill / hardfill: Pure soil, brick or concrete with no contamination. The cheapest heavy option per tonne because it's fully recyclable.
What never goes in a skip
No licensed operator in Australia will accept these in a standard skip:
- Asbestos or suspected asbestos (fibro sheeting in pre-1990 homes — if in doubt, get it tested)
- Paint, solvents, chemicals and oils
- Batteries and gas bottles
- Tyres
- Mattresses in many areas (some suppliers accept them for an extra fee — check when booking)
- Food and putrescible waste
These need specialist disposal — your council's hazardous waste drop-off days are usually the cheapest route for paint and chemicals.
The contamination fee trap
Skip companies are charged by the tip based on what's in the load. If a green waste bin arrives with general rubbish in it, the whole load gets reclassified at a higher rate — and that cost gets passed on to you. Be honest about your waste type at booking and you'll never see one of these fees.
Not sure which type you need?
If your job is mostly household junk with a bit of everything, book general waste. If there's any soil, brick or concrete in the mix, book mixed heavy — and read our guide on choosing the right size, because weight limits affect what size you can take. Then search your postcode to see live pricing for each waste type at your address.
Brett Taylor is the owner of Local Skip Bin Hire, comparing skip bin prices across Australia since 2016.