By WasteFindr Team ·
Skip hire or garden waste bags? We compare costs, capacity, and convenience for garden clearance projects.
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:
1. Mini or midi skip — traditional skip hire
2. Hippo bag / bulk bag — flexible fabric bags collected by the provider
3. 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
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
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?
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a garden waste skip cost?
A mini skip (2 yard) costs £80–£150, a midi skip (4 yard) costs £150–£250, and a builder's skip (6 yard) costs £200–£350. Prices vary by location and hire duration.
Can I put soil in a garden waste skip?
Yes, skips accept soil, but it's very heavy and will fill the weight limit quickly. Consider a grab hire for large volumes of soil. Hippo bags have strict weight limits and may not accept soil.
Do I need a permit for a garden waste skip?
Only if the skip is placed on a public road. If it sits on your driveway or private property, no permit is needed. Road permits typically cost £20–£65.
What is a hippo bag?
A hippo bag is a heavy-duty fabric bag (similar to a builder's bulk bag) that you fill with waste and then book a collection. They're an alternative to skip hire, especially where access is limited.
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