Garden Waste: Skip or Bags?
When faced with a major garden clearance — overgrown borders, tree removal, landscaping, or a full garden overhaul — you need to choose the right waste container. The main options are:
Mini or midi skip — traditional skip hire
Hippo bag / bulk bag — flexible fabric bags collected by the provider
Council garden waste sacks — for regular smaller quantities
Option 1: Garden Waste Skip Hire
How It Works
A skip is delivered to your driveway or road (with council permit), you fill it, and it's collected.
Sizes for Garden Waste
| Skip Size | Capacity | Best For | Cost |
| Mini (2 yard) | 20–30 bags | Small garden tidy | £80–£150 |
| Midi (4 yard) | 40–50 bags | Medium clearance | £150–£250 |
| Builder's (6 yard) | 60–70 bags | Large garden overhaul | £200–£350 |
Pros
Large capacity for heavy garden waste
Can include soil, rubble, and turf
Sit on your driveway — fill at your own pace
Typically available for 1–2 weeks
Cons
Need space on your driveway or a council road permit (£20–£65)
Minimum hire period — paying even if filled quickly
Can't always get delivery within 24 hours
Heavy items (soil, concrete) fill weight limits fast
Option 2: Hippo Bags & Bulk Bags
How It Works
Order a bag online, it's posted to you, you fill it, then book a collection.
Sizes
| Bag Type | Capacity | Cost (inc. collection) |
| Hippo Midibag | ~3 bags | £120–£150 |
| Hippo Megabag | ~5 bags | £150–£200 |
| Hippo Skip Bag | ~8 bags | £170–£240 |
Pros
No permit needed (sits on your property)
Flexible — fill at your own pace
Easy to order online
Good for hard-to-access areas
Cons
Higher cost per volume than skips
Weight limits apply (typically 1 tonne max)
Collection can take 5–10 working days
Not suitable for heavy waste like soil or rubble
Option 3: Council Garden Waste Sacks
How It Works
Buy reusable or disposable sacks from your council, fill with garden waste, place out on collection day.
Cost
Reusable sacks: £1–£3 each (collected fortnightly with brown bin)
Disposable sacks: £2–£5 each in bundles
Pros
Very affordable for small quantities
Regular collection schedule
No vehicle or delivery needed
Cons
Small capacity (around 75 litres per sack)
Not practical for large clearances
Only accepted garden waste — no soil or rubble
May need existing garden waste subscription
Which Should You Choose?
| Weekly grass and hedge cuttings | Council sacks/brown bin |
| Small garden tidy-up | Hippo bag |
| Overgrown garden clearance | Mini/midi skip |
| Landscaping with soil removal | Builder's skip |
| No driveway or road access | Hippo bag or waste carrier |
| Want someone else to do the loading | Licensed waste carrier |
The Alternative: Licensed Waste Carrier
If you'd rather not load anything yourself, a licensed waste carrier will come to your garden, load the waste, and take it away. Costs start from around £80 for a small load.
Key Takeaways
Skips offer the best value per cubic metre for large clearances
Hippo bags suit smaller jobs and properties without driveway access
Council sacks are cheapest for ongoing small quantities
Heavy waste like soil fills bags and weight limits quickly
A licensed waste carrier handles everything if you don't want to load yourself