What Size Skip Bin Do I Need? A Simple Guide to Cubic Metres

Choosing the right skip bin size can be one of the hardest parts of booking a skip.

How much rubbish do you actually have? What does a cubic metre look like? Will everything fit in one bin, or will you need a second one?

You don't need to be an expert in measurements to work it out. In this guide, we'll explain what a cubic metre is, how to estimate your rubbish volume and how to choose the right skip bin for your project.

First: What Is a Cubic Metre?

A cubic metre, often written as 1m³, is a measurement of volume.

The easiest way to picture one cubic metre is as a box that measures:

1 metre wide × 1 metre long × 1 metre high.

That's one cubic metre of space.

But your rubbish won't usually form a perfect one-metre cube, which is why thinking about your waste in terms of familiar household or project items can be much easier than trying to measure every piece individually.

Think of It as "How Much Space Will My Rubbish Take Up?"

Imagine gathering all your rubbish together in one area.

If you could neatly stack it into a space approximately 1 metre wide, 1 metre long and 1 metre high, you'd have roughly 1 cubic metre of waste.

The important word here is roughly.

Different materials take up different amounts of space, and the way you load your skip can make a big difference. Breaking down furniture, flattening cardboard and cutting timber into manageable pieces can help you make much better use of the available volume.

How Much Rubbish Do You Have?

Before choosing your skip, think about the project you're completing.

A Small Household Clean-Up

If you're getting rid of a relatively small amount of general household rubbish, such as a few bags of waste, some small furniture or a garage clean-out, you may only need one of the smaller skip options.

Think about the footprint of your rubbish pile, rather than trying to count individual bags.

If everything you're removing could comfortably fit into a small section of your garage or driveway, a smaller skip may be suitable.

A Garden Clean-Up

Garden waste can be deceptive.

A pile of branches, shrubs and other green waste can look enormous because it contains lots of air between the individual pieces.

If you're disposing of garden waste, consider whether you'll be able to cut branches down and break larger pieces up before loading.

A well-prepared garden waste load can take up considerably less space than a loose pile of branches.

A Bathroom or Kitchen Renovation

Renovations often produce a mixture of materials, including old cabinetry, tiles, flooring, plasterboard, timber, packaging and general rubbish.

Instead of estimating based on the number of individual items, consider how much space all of the removed materials will occupy once they've been dismantled and broken down.

For example, a kitchen renovation may produce several cabinets, benchtop materials, packaging and other building waste. Breaking the cabinets down before loading can significantly improve how efficiently the skip space is used.

A Larger Home Renovation

If you're renovating multiple rooms, removing flooring throughout a house or completing a larger building project, your waste volume can increase quickly.

In this situation, it's worth estimating the total amount of waste you'll generate across the entire project rather than only thinking about what you'll remove on the first day.

A slightly larger skip can sometimes be more cost-effective than filling a smaller bin and then needing to hire another one.

A Deceased Estate or Full Property Clean-Out

Clearing an entire property can generate a large volume of waste.

Furniture, carpets, household items, garage contents, garden waste and general rubbish can quickly add up.

Walk through the property room by room and make a rough assessment of the amount of waste you'll be removing. Don't forget outdoor areas, garages, sheds and gardens.

For a large clean-out, it's generally better to discuss the project with our team rather than trying to guess based on individual items.

A Simple Way to Estimate Your Skip Size

Try this:

Step 1: Gather your rubbish together.

If possible, create separate piles for different areas of the project.

Step 2: Think about the overall footprint.

How much floor space does your rubbish take up?

Step 3: Estimate the height.

Imagine your rubbish stacked neatly rather than scattered across the ground.

Step 4: Allow for how you'll load the bin.

Can bulky items be dismantled? Can cardboard be flattened? Can timber be cut down?

Step 5: Consider the material.

A cubic metre of bricks or concrete is very different from a cubic metre of cardboard or green waste when it comes to weight.

Step 6: When in doubt, ask us.

A quick conversation with the Blast Bin Hire team can help you choose a bin that suits both the volume and type of waste you're dealing with.

Skip Bin Size Guide

This is where our size guide can make choosing your bin much easier.

Don't worry if you're between sizes. Our team can help you work out which option makes the most sense based on the type, volume and weight of your waste.

Volume Isn't the Only Thing That Matters

One of the most common mistakes when choosing a skip is looking only at how much space the rubbish will take up.

Weight matters too.

A cubic metre of lightweight packaging is very different from a cubic metre of concrete, bricks or soil.

If you're disposing of heavy construction materials, don't automatically choose a smaller skip because you think you'll have less rubbish. You need to consider whether the bin is suitable for the weight of the load.

We have skip bins specifically designed for heavy construction waste, with options available for loads of up to 2 tonnes.

If your project involves concrete, bricks, soil, rubble or other heavy materials, talk to us before booking so we can help you choose an appropriate bin.

Don't Forget About How You Load Your Skip

Once you've chosen the right size, loading it properly can help you get the most from the space you've hired.

Place heavy, flat materials at the bottom and distribute the weight evenly. Break down bulky items wherever possible and fill empty spaces as efficiently as you can.

However, never fill your skip above the top rim or designated fill line.

Overfilled skips are unsafe to transport and cannot be collected.

You can read our guide on [how to safely load a skip] for more tips.

What If I Still Don't Know What Size I Need?

That's completely normal.

Estimating waste volume isn't always easy, particularly when you're dealing with a mixture of materials or a large clean-up.

Rather than guessing, give the Blast Bin Hire team a call.

Tell us:

• What you're working on

• What type of waste you're removing

• Roughly how much waste you expect

• Whether you're dealing with heavy materials

• Whether you have any bulky or difficult-to-load items

We'll help you work out which skip is most appropriate for your project.

Choose the Right Skip From the Start

Choosing the right skip size can save you money, time and hassle.

A bin that's too small could mean leftover waste or the cost of a second hire. A bin that's too large could mean you're paying for capacity you don't need.

Think about your waste in terms of volume, material and weight, then use our size guide or speak to our team if you're unsure.

Need help choosing a skip bin in Geelong? Contact Blast Bin Hire and we'll help you find the right size for your project.