Ro-Ro Skips

Skips have been used in the UK primarily for Construction and Demolition Waste since the 1960s, but these containers are also used as a versatile system for heavier, non-compressible wastes. This page captures Ro-Ro Skips which are also used for large bulky items.

They are constructed of metal and are delivered, collected, emptied and then returned (or sent to a new waste producer) via a dedicated Ro-Ro Lorry.

WikiWaste has separate pages for Builders' Skips, Ro-Ro Skips and Speciality/Adapted Skips. REL Skips are distinct from these three types, have their own page, and are typically used for lighter-weight compressable wastes.

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Background

In the UK the size of a Skip is still traditionally referred to in cubic yards rather than cubic metres (for example an 8 yard skip).

Ro-Ro is a shortened version of 'Roll On Roll Off' and refers to the way the bin is lifted and dragged onto and off the lorry utilising a set of wheels at the rear of the skip. The skip is lifted onto the lorry via a hook, hence the lorry used can often be referred to as a Hooklift Lorry (18 to 29 tonne lorry) and the skip occasionally a Hooklift Skip. The skips are large and range from 20 to 40 cubic yards.

Bin Sizes

The most common sizes and types of Ro-Ro Skip are listed below. The information in the table is a compilation of data in the public domain. The maximum weight in a Ro-Ro is often determined more by the weight limitation of the lorry, as a large Ro-Ro skip with heavy waste would exceed the road going limits of the lorry.

Size (cubic yards)
Size (cubic metres)
Dimensions (ft in)
Dimensions (m)
Typical Use

20

15.3

4'3"(H) x 20'0"(L) x 7' 9" (W)

0.76m(H) x 1.2m(L) x 0.91m(W)

Soil, Rubble, Hardcore

30

22.9

6'2"(H) x 20'0"(L) x 7' 9" (W)

0.97m(H) x 1.83m(L) x 1.29m(W)

General builder's wastes, Construction and Demolition Waste

40

30.6

0.76m(H) x 1.2m(L) x 0.91m(W)

0.97m(H) x 1.83m(L) x 1.29m(W)

Lighter builder's waste, Wood Waste, Paper & Card, bulky waste

References:

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