Benefits of an enclosed skip for businesses
September 17, 2026|News
There are certain scenarios where the benefits of an enclosed skip far outweigh those of a standard open skip, especially for businesses.
Opting for an enclosed skip, where on a construction site, next to an office or in a retail park, offers better security, protection from weather conditions, and a tidier appearance, making the slightly higher price point worth it in most cases.
With more commercial customers switching to enclosed skip hire, regardless of whether they choose a smaller 4 yard or the full 12 yard option, we’ve outlined the reasons for their growing popularity, and reveal how you can have an enclosed skip delivered promptly to your site.
What are the benefits of an enclosed skip?
An enclosed skip works in the same way as a standard skip, but with a lockable lid that closes over the open side of the skip. This simple feature brings several practical advantages for commercial customers.
Security
A lockable skip prevents unauthorised access to your waste. This matters for businesses disposing of confidential waste, such as old paperwork, as it stops anyone rifling through bins on public land or a public road outside your premises.
Weather protection
Standard skips are open to the elements. Rain can add significant weight to waste materials, sometimes tipping a skip over its weight limit and leading to hefty fines from skip hire companies or local authorities. An enclosed skip keeps rainwater out, protecting the contents and keeping costs predictable.
Controlled access to waste
With a lockable lid, only authorised staff can add waste to the bin. This stops passers-by from fly tipping their own dangerous refuse or unwanted waste into your skip, which could put you at risk of handling hazardous materials you never agreed to store. It’s also great for peace of mind, as well as the other various advantages.
Keeping waste out of view
For public facing premises, such as shops, offices or restaurants, an open skip full of everyday waste materials is not a good look. An enclosed skip keeps waste disposal out of sight, helping maintain a professional appearance at the front of your building.
Site safety
On a construction site or industrial project, loose waste materials such as metal piping, mattress springs or sheets of glass can pose a real risk. An enclosed skip reduces the chance of items falling out or being disturbed, supporting your site safety regulations and regulatory compliance obligations.
Businesses that benefit from enclosed skips
Any business generating regular waste can benefit from an enclosed skip, but some industries find it particularly useful, including:
- Construction and demolition contractors managing a large commercial project
- Retail units and shops with public facing frontages
- Offices handling confidential waste and IT equipment
- Restaurants and hospitality businesses
- Housing developers undertaking multiple home renovation projects
- Local authorities managing public sites
- Facilities management companies overseeing several properties
If your business falls into one of these categories, an enclosed skip could be an invaluable tool for your waste management strategy.
What skip options are available to businesses?
Towens offers a wide range of waste clearance projects, from a small waste removal job to a large commercial demolition. Our selection of skips means there is an option suited to almost any type of waste.
2 yard skip
- Fits 10 to 15 black bin bags
- Incredibly convenient way to manage garden clearances and minor waste removal jobs
- Compact size, suitable for sites with insufficient room for larger bins
4 yard skip
- Holds 25 to 30 black bin bags
- Suited to medium-sized refits and smaller commercial waste
- A versatile choice for builders’ waste
6 yard skip
- Fits 30 to 40 black bin bags
- Designed for larger clearances and heavier waste
- Popular for mixed waste from renovation work
8 yard skip
- Holds 50 to 60 black bin bags
- Suitable for larger construction projects
- Handles a variety of skip materials
12 yard skip
- Accommodates 90 to 100 black bin bags
- Ideal for bulky, heavy waste from industrial projects
- Best suited to large commercial and construction sites
| Skip size | Volume (m³) | Typical black bin bags | Weight limit |
| 2 yard | 1.53 | 10-15 | 2 tonnes |
| 4 yard | 3.05 | 25-30 | 4 tonnes |
| 6 yard | 4.6 | 30-40 | 6 tonnes |
| 8 yard | 6.11 | 50-60 | 6 tonnes |
| 12 yard | 9.17 | 90-100 | 7 tonnes |
RoRo skips are also available in 15 to 40 yard container sizes for larger industrial projects. Contact us for details.
What can and can’t I put inside my skip?
Understanding what type of waste is permitted helps you avoid delays and additional charges.
Permitted materials:
- Wood
- Stone
- Paper
- Plastic
- General waste
- Sand and soil
- Cardboard
- Metals
Not permitted:
- Electrical items and old appliances
- Asbestos
- Batteries
- Gas cylinders
- Paint tins
- Fluorescent tubes
- Heavily treated wood
- POPs (persistent organic pollutants), such as sofas and upholstered furniture
- Plasterboard
- Fridges and freezers
- Tyres
- Pressurised containers
- Food waste
- Liquids of any kind
- Mattresses
If you are unsure whether your waste falls under hazardous waste rules, give our team a call before booking.
What do I need to know about skip hire from Towens?
Standard skip hire duration with Towens, available across Somerset and into Bristol is two weeks, giving you plenty of time to complete a full house clearance, office strip-out or building project. Larger sizes and RoRo skips are available on request.
Depending on where you place your skip, you may need a permit. If the skip sits on a public road, you will need a permit from your local authority. We can deal with this for you, handling all of the paperwork. If it sits on private property, this generally is not required.
Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Once your skip is collected, the contents go to our own transfer station, where:
- Hardcore and soil-only skips are tipped directly into piles for recycling into aggregates, topsoil and subsoils
- Plasterboard is stored separately for recycling by manufacturers
- All other waste is sorted, trammelled, hand-picked and separated using magnets to divide waste streams
- Non-recyclable material is transported to landfill sites within our operating area
- All other recyclable material is stockpiled and sent to appropriate recycling facilities
Over 92% of the waste we process is recycled, reused or recovered, with only 8% going to landfill.
How can I hire a skip from Towens?
It can be done simply using our three step tool.
- Enter your postcode for local skip hire prices.
- Select a skip size suited to your waste type, whether that is builders’ waste, garden waste or house clearance.
- Confirm if a permit is required for public road placement.
It really is one of the most efficient ways to get reliable enclosed skip hire sorted for your business, often within 24 hours of booking.
About Towens
We have been providing waste management, skip hire and recycling services across Somerset and the South West for over 25 years. As a family-owned business, we understand the value of long-term relationships, and many of our commercial customers have worked with us for years.
We operate four recycling facilities and a fleet of over 40 tippers, artics and skip lorries, handling well over a million tonnes of waste and recycled aggregates a year. Our drivers are directly employed, our fleet is Euro 6 compliant, and we have the processes in place to support your regulatory compliance and environmental impact goals.
Whether you need enclosed skip hire for a retail unit, an office clearance or an ongoing construction project, we have the skip bins, expertise and local knowledge to help.
Get in touch today on 01934 424242 or email skips@towens.co.uk to discuss your specific needs, or fill out our online form to book your skip.
