Can you put glass in a skip?

The short answer

Most glass is fine. Tell us if there is a lot of it. Window glass, mirrors and bottles are not all treated the same.

Why the type of waste matters

Window glass and mirrors are handled differently from bottles and jars. Broken glass is also an injury risk to people loading and sorting the waste.

What to do before loading

Tell us if it is bottles, a window or a mirror, and send a photo if you can. Wrap or secure sharp fragments only as instructed.

Bottles and jars are best in your council recycling bin. For lots of window glass, ask us for a price.

Handling glass safely in a skip

Small amounts of household glass, like jars and broken drinking glasses, can usually go in a mixed skip. Window glass and glass from doors or greenhouses can also be accepted, but it needs care because broken panes are sharp and dangerous to the people loading and sorting the waste.

If you are removing windows or a greenhouse, wrap large sheets or lay them flat at the bottom of the skip rather than throwing them in loose. Mirrors and toughened glass are fine in the same way.

Some glass items are not just glass. Fluorescent tubes and some bulbs count as hazardous waste, and TVs and monitors are electrical waste. Keep those out of the skip and ask us about the right route for them.

Questions about this waste type

Can I put old windows in a skip?

Yes. Lay them flat at the bottom or wrap them, so the glass does not shatter when the skip is lifted.

Are light bulbs and tubes treated as glass?

No. Fluorescent tubes and some bulbs are hazardous waste and must be kept out of the skip.