Can I put glass in a skip?
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Glass can pose a hazard and should always be disposed of safely. Learn how this applies to skips.
When disposing of glass, you have options. One is to dispose of it in a skip. If you do, there are certain safety precautions to follow in order to protect yourself and the removal team.
You should also think about the amount of glass you're disposing of. Large amounts present safety problems. If you're unsure what constitutes "large", speak to your skip hire company.
What kinds of glass can you dispose of in a skip?
Most kinds of glass can be disposed of in a skip. However, you should avoid disposing of glass that contains hazardous chemicals or materials like asbestos. This includes items like fluorescent lightbulbs.
Greenhouse glass, glass bottles, glass doors, glass tables and furniture, windows and toughened glass can all be added to a skip.
Glass bottles should be empty with the lids on if possible.
You should take extra care when disposing of toughened glass, as when it breaks, it shatters into lots of tiny pieces.
Mirrors are difficult to recycle. For this reason, it's best to repurpose a mirror if possible, whether by selling it, giving it as a gift or donating it to a charity shop. If you put a mirror in a skip, put it in last to minimise the chances of breakage.
Finally, it's OK to put glass with mixed waste in a skip. You just need to ensure that the mixed waste isn't contaminated and doesn't contain any prohibited items. Check with the hire company to find out what you can and can't include.
How to dispose of glass in a skip safely
To dispose of glass safely, you should wear personal protective equipment (PPE). You should wear eye protection and gloves. It's also sensible to cover your legs and upper body.
Wrap small pieces of glass and place them in a cardboard box or other container before they go in the skip. This should be labelled to assist the removal team.
Large pieces of broken glass should be taped up along the fractured edge. This applies to sheets of glass, windows, mirrors and other glass objects.
Once the skip has been collected, check the surroundings carefully for any pieces of broken glass. These can cause injury to pedestrians and wildlife.
How is glass recycled?
In the UK, most skip-hire companies have agreements in place with waste treatment facilities. This means any glass disposed of in a skip is likely to end up recycled.
First, the glass is removed from the skip and sent to a facility. There, it's sorted by colour and washed. It's then crushed and melted down before being turned into new products such as jars and bottles.
Based in Bedford, ToughGlaze is one of the UK's most trusted
commercial glass specialists. For more guides and tips, explore our
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