What is a tipping skip? The Ultimate Guide

A tipping skip is a specialised container used for waste handling and is typically attached to forklifts for transport and disposal. Every business, big or small, faces these common waste management challenges.

Whether it's leftover materials from a construction site, offcuts from a manufacturing line, or general debris in a warehouse, having an efficient waste-handling process in place is crucial: this is where the tipping skip shines!

At Forklift Skip Market, we've seen firsthand the difference a good tipping skip can make. We’re excited to take you on a deep dive and shed some light on their mechanics, versatility, and the different sectors they serve.

How does a tipping skip work?

At first glance, a tipping skip might seem like a straightforward container.

However, it’s actually a robust skip (typically manufactured from steel) capable of handling the weight and roughness of industrial waste. Its design is often rectangular, but it's sloped front sets it apart: this part is pivotal to its tipping function.

The base of the tipping skip comes with a set of hooks or attachment points designed to connect with a forklift or other industrial machinery. Once attached, the forklift can move the skip up and down while providing the necessary force for tipping.

At Forklift Skip Market, our product’s tipping mechanisms blend excellent manufacturing with top-quality engineering. When the forklift raises the skip, its centre of gravity shifts, allowing the contents to be tipped out effortlessly. 

You can dispose of the contents completely, whether that’s into a larger disposal container or directly onto a waste pile.

What are the different types of tipping skips?

With different industries, machinery and jobs to be done, there is more than one type of skipping tip available. Here’s a closer look at some of the most popular alternatives:

1.   Auto release skips

Designed for efficiency, auto-release skips do exactly as their name suggests. These containers have an automatic release mechanism that activates when the skip is lifted to a certain angle.

If you’re disposing of waste in potentially dangerous environments (e.g. from great heights), auto release skips remove the need for manual intervention and can protect the safety of employees.

2.   Telehandler skips

Telehandler skips are perfect for sites with larger machinery, like construction sites or large warehouses. Using automatic locks, they attach to and release from floating forks via a gas strut. 

Like auto release skips, they reduce the need for the driver to leave the cab. Their self-tilting mechanisms prioritise workplace safety by ensuring the operator is safely away from the skip while it’s working.

3.   Lidded tipping skips

For situations where waste needs to be contained or protected from external elements, lidded skips are the go-to choice.

The lid ensures that waste is kept secure, preventing spillage and protecting it from rain, wind, or other external factors. This type is especially useful in environments where the waste might be sensitive or hazardous.

What can you put in a tipping skip?

A tipping skip’s durable construction makes it capable of handling various materials, ranging from packaging to organic matter.

1.   Industrial waste

Factories and building sites often produce remnants, such as metal shavings or wood offcuts, from their manufacturing processes. Similarly, construction sites generate waste like broken bricks or surplus cement. 

 Tipping skips are well-suited to manage these materials.

2.   Packaging materials

Retail outlets and warehouses frequently handle products that come in packaging. Once the products are unpacked, the residual cardboard and plastic must be disposed of.

3.   Organic waste

In agricultural settings or large-scale culinary operations, organic waste is generated consistently. Whether this includes unused plant parts or expired food items, tipping skips provide a convenient storage solution until disposal.

4.   Specialised materials

Some tipping skips are specifically constructed to handle particular types of waste. For instance, certain skips made of corrosion-resistant metal can hold waste that might be wet or contain moisture without undergoing damage.

What are the benefits of tipping skips? 

1.   Environmental segregation

With increasing emphasis on environmental standards, segregating waste is paramount.

Tipping skips, available in various colours, facilitate effective waste segregation, ensuring businesses operate efficiently and in an environmentally conscious manner.

2.   Odour reduction and pest control

Waste, when left unattended, can produce unpleasant odours.

Tipping skips equipped with lockable lids not only help contain these odours but also play a vital role in pest control by keeping waste securely locked away, deterring pests like rats and other vermin.

3.   Maintaining clear workspaces

In the construction industry, debris and waste materials can quickly accumulate, posing potential hazards.

Tipping skips provide an effective solution, enabling crews to promptly collect and clear away waste, ensuring the site remains safe and workflows are uninterrupted.

4.   Minimising contamination

In industries where contamination is a concern, such as the hospitality sector, stainless steel tipping skips can be invaluable.

Their corrosion and pitting resistance properties ensure waste is disposed of efficiently, reducing potential contamination risks.

Choose Forklift Skip Market for premium tipping skips!

Investing in a tipping skip for your workplace will elevate waste management practices. By streamlining disposal and ensuring worker safety, our premium tipping skips will provide a dependable solution for all your excess mess.

Don't compromise on efficiency and safety; choose the best for your business. Explore Forklift Skip Market’s collection of UK-manufactured tipping skips (which adhere to the highest quality and safety standards!)