What efffort does it take to sort materials to effect rubbish removal using a skip bin?

Planning Rubbish Removal Activities

When planning to clear rubbish from a property, it is a good idea to plan what is going to be needed as much as possible. As every rubbish removal activity is different, it is difficult to give specific stopwatch-type estimates of the time needed to do such jobs, but we can give you some ideas and tips as rough guidance. This information is based on labour averages from professional rubbish removal and logistics businesses to estimate the effort.

Loading a skip bin is physically demanding and usually involves two distinct phases: sorting/staging and loading. 

1. Estimated Time per Cubic Metre ()

A single cubic metre of general household waste is roughly equivalent to 4 standard wheelie bins or one level 6x4 box trailer.

ActivityEstimated Time (Per )Complexity Factors
Sorting & Sifting1 to 3 hoursHigher for deceased estates (sentimental value/paperwork) or spring cleans (deciding what to keep).
Preparation15 to 30 minsDismantling furniture, flat-packing boxes, or cutting garden waste to size.
Loading Only15 to 20 minsAssuming waste is already "staged" near the bin and does not involve heavy stairs.

The "Wait and Load" Benchmark: Many skip companies offer a "Wait and Load" service where the driver waits for 30 to 60 minutes for you to fill the bin. For a standard 2-4 bin, this assumes you have a team of 2 people and the waste is already sitting on the driveway.

Here is a picture of a cubic metre
Picturing a Cubic Metre of Rubbish

 

2. Effort by Project Type

Spring Cleaning

  • Effort Level: Moderate.

  • Sorting Time: High. Much of the time is spent "discovering" items and deciding their fate.

  • Loading: Usually easy, as items are often "bagged" or boxed general waste.

Deceased Estates

  • Effort Level: Very High.

  • Sorting Time: Extremely High. You are often sorting through life-long accumulations, checking pockets of clothes, and looking for legal documents.

  • Technique: Professional estate clearers often spend 2-3 days just sorting before a skip even arrives.

Moving House

  • Effort Level: High/Physical.

  • Sorting Time: Moderate. Decisions are usually "Does it fit in the new house?"

  • Loading: Heavy. Often involves "end-of-life" furniture that is bulky and requires two people to carry.

3. Professional Tips for Loading

To get the most value out of your skip (and save your back), use the "Tetris Method":

  • The Foundation: Start with flat items (tabletops, old doors, timber) at the very bottom.

  • The Corners: Place heavy, bulky items (white goods, furniture) in first. Disassemble anything you can—remove legs from tables and chairs.

  • The In-Fill: Use small rubbish, bags, and loose debris to fill the "voids" inside cupboards or between furniture legs. Never leave "air" in the bin.

  • The Weight Limit: If your skip has a door/ramp (common on 4 and larger), use a wheelbarrow to wheel heavy waste directly inside rather than lifting over the side.

  • The Water Line: Never fill past the rim. Drivers are legally forbidden from transporting "over-height" loads, and they may leave the excess on your driveway.

4. Labour-Saving Techniques

  1. Stage First: Do not hire the skip until all rubbish is piled up near where the skip will sit. Paying for a skip to sit empty while you sort is a waste of money.

  2. The "Three-Pile" Rule: Before the skip arrives, create three areas: Keep, Donate/Sell, and Skip.

  3. Flat-Pack Everything: A single hollow cardboard box takes up the space of 20 flat-packed ones. The same applies to furniture.

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