The Classifications of Different Types of Waste

Skips, Recycling & Waste Management.

Understanding different types of waste is essential to ensure you remain safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible when disposing of waste. Whether you’re embarking on a home DIY project or working on a construction site, knowing how to categorise waste will ensure it is always disposed of in the correct way.

At Greenbox Recycling, we provide a wide range of waste management services across Kent, making the process straightforward for all our clients. What’s more, when you work with us, you can always guarantee your compliance.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of waste.

Different types of waste

There are so many different types of waste, and often a bespoke approach is required when it comes to disposal. Classifications of waste include:

General waste

General waste refers to everyday items that are non-hazardous but cannot be recycled. These types of waste include:

• Food containers
  Non-recyclable plastics
  Broken household items
  Mixed rubbish

The most common way to safely dispose of this type of waste is with skip hire. In many cases, when the waste reaches the disposal facilities, materials will be diverted for energy recovery.

Recyclables

Recyclable waste is materials that can be reused. This includes:

• Paper
  Cardboard
  Glass
  Plastics (depending on the type)
  Metals

Recyclables should be separated from general waste. As well as your regular recycling bin collections, all recyclable materials can also be put in skips ready for collection. Then, the materials will be processed and often reused, reducing the need to use more raw resources.

WEEE waste

Waste electrical and electronic equipment, or WEEE waste for short, covers electrical items that require specialist waste disposal. This includes:

• TVs
  Computers and laptops
  Fridges
  Washing machines
  Small appliances like kettles and toasters

General skips are not suitable for these items. Instead, they can be taken to your local recycling centre. Some skip hire companies will provide a dedicated service so it may be worth checking with yours.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a highly hazardous material that is often found in older buildings. The use of asbestos as a building material has been banned in the UK since 1999, but if your property was built prior to this, it may be found in ceilings, roofs and insulation.

Due to the serious health risks they pose, asbestos can only be handled and disposed of by licensed professionals.

Offensive waste

Offensive waste is non-infectious but could be unpleasant to handle and may cause harm. Examples of offensive waste include:

• Hygiene waste
  Sanitary products
  PPE like masks and gloves

This type of waste must be securely contained and disposed of in a specialist manner.

Hazardous waste

Hazardous waste is waste that poses a risk to human health. It includes:

• Chemicals and solvents
  Paints and oils
  Batteries

Strict regulations govern the disposal of hazardous waste. While it cannot go in a standard skip, some skip hire companies offer this as a separate service.

Plasterboard

Plasterboard requires a separate disposal method due to the chemical reaction that can occur if it is mixed with other waste. It can release harmful gases, so it must be segregated and processed at specialist facilities.

Green waste

Green waste is classified as biodegradable materials from gardens and landscaping projects. Common examples include:

• Grass cuttings
  Leaves
  Branches
  Soil
  Plants

Skip hire is a popular way to dispose of this type of waste. However, you need to be careful that you do not exceed weight limits. Soil in particular can be extremely heavy when disposed of in large quantities.

Rubble

Rubble is heavy construction or demolition material. This can include:

• Concrete
  Bricks
  Tiles
  Stone

Due to how heavy it is, rubble is usually disposed of in skips. At waste management facilities, the rubble can be crushed and reused, creating new materials.

Waste management with Greenbox Recycling

At Greenbox Recycling, we provide one of the leading waste management services in Kent. Offering both domestic and commercial waste management services, we provide flexible skip hire with skips available in a whole host of sizes.

We tailor waste management to the exact needs of each and every customer, meaning you’ll always be able to find the solution your project needs.

What’s more, we’re a CIWM-affiliated organisation, fully licensed and approved by the Environment Agency, so compliance is guaranteed. All waste we collect is processed in-house, with 90% of it recycled and the remaining 10% diverted to energy recovery – meaning nothing ever ends up in landfill.

With three generations of waste expertise under our belts, we’re a company you can trust. To find out more or to book a skip, simply get in touch with Greenbox Recycling today.