Skip size guide: Choose the right skip size for any project
September 18, 2026|News
At Towens, we offer skip hire across Somerset in a variety of sizes, which ensures you get the best possible value for money, as opposed to being delivered a skip that is too small and needing another collection, or paying for capacity that you do not need.
This does mean it’s important to select the right option, which is why we’ve put this skip size guide together. It covers the five standard skip sizes we provide, from a compact 2 yard skip that’s perfect for smaller clear outs, through to our largest 12 yard skip. We also provide RoRo containers from 15 to 40 yards for larger commercial and industrial requirements.
The right choice depends on how much waste you have, what type of waste you are disposing of and how heavy it is. As a simple comparison, our 2 yard skip holds around 10-15 black bin bags while our 12 yard skip can accommodate around 90-100.
We deliver across Somerset, North Somerset and Bristol, then process the waste at our local facilities with the aim of recycling or reusing as much as possible. We’ve recently been repurposing over 90% of the waste that we receive from skips at our specialist facility, something that we’re really proud of and keen to continue.
Towens: Our skip size guide
Below, we have broken down our most common skip sizes to help you compare their capacity and find the best skip size for your project.
2 yard skip
Our smallest skip is a practical option for smaller domestic projects where you do not have a large amount of waste.
- Typical waste: Heavy inert materials, soil or mixed waste
- Weight limit: 2 tonnes
- Black bin bags: 10-15
- Volume: 1.53m³
- Height: 0.76m
- Length: 1.53m
- Width: 1.01m
- Ideal for: Small DIY projects, garden waste, minor house clearances and smaller amounts of soil, stone or rubble
It can be a useful choice for a modest garden clearance or a small amount of household waste without taking up unnecessary space.
4 yard skip
The 4 yard skip offers more capacity while remaining a versatile option for domestic projects.
- Typical waste: Heavy inert materials, soil or mixed waste
- Weight limit: 4 tonnes
- Black bin bags: 25-30
- Volume: 3.05m³
- Height: 0.97m
- Length: 1.83m
- Width: 1.29m
- Ideal for: Bathroom refurbishment, landscaping, medium-sized clearances, builders’ waste and bulky items
If you are replacing a bathroom or tackling a larger garden project, this can provide the additional space you need without moving straight to a large skip.
6 yard skip
Our 6 yard skip is designed for larger domestic renovations and clearances that produce more waste.
- Typical waste: Heavy inert materials, soil or mixed waste
- Weight limit: 6 tonnes
- Black bin bags: 30-40
- Volume: 4.6m³
- Height: 1.22m
- Length: 2.6m
- Width: 1.52m
- Ideal for: Larger home renovations, garden clearances, building projects and mixed or heavy builders’ waste
This is a good step up when a 4 yard skip is unlikely to provide enough capacity. It gives you more room for renovation waste without immediately choosing one of our largest skips.
8 yard skip
Our 8 yard skip provides considerably more capacity and is suited to larger building projects and commercial waste.
- Typical waste: Mixed construction waste
- Weight limit: 6 tonnes
- Black bin bags: 50-60
- Volume: 6.11m³
- Height: 1.22m
- Length: 3.66m
- Width: 1.68m
- Ideal for: Larger construction projects, building waste, commercial projects and substantial renovation work
For a significant home renovation or a project producing a large amount of mixed construction waste, an 8 yard skip can be a practical option.
12 yard skip
Our 12-yard skip is the largest skip size in our standard range. It provides the most capacity for projects producing substantial amounts of bulky or mixed construction waste.
- Typical waste: Mixed construction waste
- Weight limit: 7 tonnes
- Black bin bags: 90-100
- Volume: 9.17m³
- Height: 1.38m
- Length: 4.1m
- Width: 1.67m
- Ideal for: Large commercial and industrial projects, substantial renovation work and bulky waste clearances
If you expect to produce close to 100 bin bags of waste, this is the largest size skip in our standard range and gives you considerably more capacity than the smaller options.
RoRo skips: 15-40 yard containers
For projects producing much larger amounts of waste, we also provide RoRo containers from 15 to 40 yards.
These larger containers are designed for commercial and industrial requirements where standard skips may not provide enough capacity. They are suitable for larger-scale site work and projects producing significant volumes of waste.
If you are unsure whether you need a standard skip or a RoRo container, our team can help you understand the available options.
Skip sizes at a glance
| Skip size | Weight limit | Bin bags | Volume | Height | Length | Width |
| 2 yard | 2 tonnes | 10-15 | 1.53m³ | 0.76m | 1.53m | 1.01m |
| 4 yard | 4 tonnes | 25-30 | 3.05m³ | 0.97m | 1.83m | 1.29m |
| 6 yard | 6 tonnes | 30-40 | 4.6m³ | 1.22m | 2.6m | 1.52m |
| 8 yard | 6 tonnes | 50-60 | 6.11m³ | 1.22m | 3.66m | 1.68m |
| 12 yard | 7 tonnes | 90-100 | 9.17m³ | 1.38m | 4.1m | 1.67m |
What else should I consider when choosing a skip?
Capacity is only one consideration. Think about the type and weight of your waste before booking. Soil, stone and rubble are much denser than many household materials, so weight restrictions can become relevant before the skip is physically full.
It is also important to consider where the skip will go. Check that there is enough room for the skip itself and for delivery. If it needs to be placed on a public highway, a permit may be required.
What are the benefits of Towens skip hire?
Choosing a suitable skip is only the first step. We aim to make the whole process convenient, from booking and delivery through to responsible waste processing.
Convenient local delivery
We provide skip hire across Somerset, North Somerset and Bristol. Our fleet of skip and hook lift lorries allows us to respond to domestic and commercial requirements.
Our skips and containers can be supplied within 24 hours of booking in these areas, helping you get on with your project without unnecessary delays.
Responsible waste processing
Once your skip has been collected, we transport the waste to our transfer station for processing.
Waste from our hardcore and soil-only skips is deposited directly into organised piles at our site, where they can be processed into recycled aggregates, topsoil and subsoils for use in construction projects.
Other waste is sorted using machinery, screening, hand-picking and magnets to separate different waste streams. Suitable materials are then stockpiled and transported to recycling facilities or other appropriate destinations.
Our objective is to recycle or reuse as much waste as possible, with the minimum going to landfill. Across our facilities, 92% of the material we process is recycled, reused or recovered, with just 8% going to landfill.
Simple booking
We have made our skip hire service easy to arrange through our online booking tool. You can select the skip you need and provide the relevant delivery details, being presented with a price in seconds (two week hire as standard).
If your skip needs to go on a public highway, a permit may be required. Our booking process allows you to indicate that you need a permit so we can help arrange this.
Local expertise
We are a family-owned recycling, waste management and haulage business based in Weston-super-Mare, with depots across Somerset.
Our customers include homeowners, local contractors, builders and major commercial sites. This experience means we understand the different waste disposal requirements that come with projects of all sizes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose the right skip size for my home renovation project?
Consider the amount and type of waste your renovation will create. Smaller bathroom renovations may suit a 4 yard skip, while larger renovations could need a 6, 8 or 12 yard option.
What is the capacity of each skip size and what waste can they typically hold?
Our skips range from 1.53m³ to 9.17m³. They hold approximately 10-15 to 90-100 black bin bags, depending on the skip size and waste type.
Are there visual guides to help me estimate which skip size I need?
Yes. Refer to the graphic below for a visual comparison of our different skip sizes. This can help you picture the relative capacity before booking.
Which skip size is the best option for garden waste disposal?
For smaller garden clearances, our 2 yard skip can be suitable. Bigger projects may need a larger size, like 4 or 6 yard skip depending on the amount of waste produced. Generally, the two yard skip can hold around 10-15 bin bags.
How much does it cost to hire different skip sizes?
Skip hire costs vary according to the skip size and your project requirements. Use our online booking tool to get the most relevant price for your requirements.
Why trust Towens for skip hire?
We have more than 25 years of experience in recycling, waste management and haulage, with a 30-year track record as a family-owned business.
We provide much more than skip hire. We operate recycling facilities and a fleet of modern Euro 6 vehicles, with directly employed drivers and established processes for managing waste responsibly.
Our customers range from homeowners carrying out garage clearances and garden projects to contractors and major commercial sites. We understand that every project produces different amounts and types of waste, which is why having a choice of skip sizes matters.
Sustainability is also central to how we work. We sort and process the material collected in our skips, whether it’s commercial or domestic waste materials, with the aim of keeping as much as possible in use, contributing towards a circular economy. Soil and hardcore can be processed into recycled aggregates and soils, while other suitable materials are separated for recycling or recovery.
If you know roughly how much waste your project will produce, our skip size guide can help you find better value. If you are still unsure, our team can help.
Ready to book? Use our simple three-step online booking tool to choose your skip and arrange delivery. You can also call us on 01934 424242 or email skips@towens.co.uk.
