Homeowners making home improvements are facing steep increases in container rental costs – with prices rising by as much as a third in five years.
Skips are a common sight in Britain, while the brightly colored containers can be seen on driveways across the country.
But the price of hiring someone has risen 20 to 33 percent, experts say, as companies that skip pass on their own rising costs.
Skip prices vary depending on the size you need and where you live, with costs generally higher in the south of the country.
Extra tax: The costs of renting a container are rising because companies are forced to pass on the rising costs
But the rise in prices has seen an eight-metre load that cost £200 in 2019 rise by 20 per cent to £240 today in Hertfordshire, according to Andy Catigan, director of waste management company Waste King.
Meanwhile, a four-metre container that cost £180 five years ago would now cost £228 to £240, a whopping 33 percent increase, according to James Thurlow-Craig, director of Reliable Skip.
Skip costs have risen over the past five years for a cocktail of reasons, including fuel costs, Brexit and additional regulation.
Catigan said: ‘Coming out of Covid, although prices have gone up over the years, that’s when we saw the big changes.
“Not only have we seen a dramatic increase in fuel costs because we run big machines with big engines. We used to be able to use red diesel, but since April 2022 we can no longer use it.’
Red diesel is everyday ‘white’ diesel with red dye in it, but is taxed less heavily than standard diesel.
But since April 1, 2022, government regulations mean that the cheaper red diesel can’t be used in heavy machinery, such as the trucks that carry box trucks, although farm equipment can still use it.
“It’s a stealth tax,” Catigan said. “We paid 41 cents a liter with red diesel, but with white diesel it went up to £1.60 a litre.”
Other reasons why the cost of renting a lift pass has risen is a shortage of drivers, said Thurlow-Craig of Reliable Skip.
Many European ski pass companies went home after Brexit, leading to wage increases for those who remained.
Thurlow-Craig said: ‘There was then the challenge of high demand and a shortage of drivers – the demand far outstripped the available supply.’
Waste management experts also say additional regulations are also driving up the cost of waste containers for consumers.
An example is the Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation (POPS). These rules from the Environment Agency came into effect in December 2022 and mean that many items that would normally be thrown in containers, such as old sofas and chairs, cannot go to landfill because many of them contain harmful chemicals that cannot be broken down.
As a result, they must be handled separately and can contaminate an entire container load if mixed with other waste.
Brendan O’Shea (left) said container rentals face upward pressure on prices
Brendan O’Shea, founder of waste disposal and disposal company Just Clear, said: ‘This year the industry has seen the introduction of a government levy called POPS, which has undoubtedly driven up container rental prices.
“Other challenges include labor shortages due to Brexit, and rising energy and fuel costs, for example a stealth tax on red diesel, so there is certainly evidence of market pressure on that front.”
The container rental industry is also bracing for similar rules to POPS introduced yesterday (Sept. 1), meaning certain types of wood can no longer be thrown into containers. Again, this could mean that prices go up for consumers to cover the extra processing costs.
The Environment Agency is withdrawing RPS 250 rules that currently allow waste management companies to process wood alongside hazardous wood, for example wooden beams and joists treated or painted with environmentally harmful chemicals.
Thurlow-Craig of Reliable Skip said: ‘Essentially all wood in a property resulting from a demolition project or extension, if pre-2007, should be treated as hazardous waste.
‘An enormous amount of wood is thrown into containers. If the wood is from after 2007, it’s fine and can go in. Wood that is suitable for this should be tested or declared, not just thrown into a general purpose container.’
Ski pass hire is competitive, which means that companies usually work hard to keep prices as low as possible.
O’Shea added, “The industry itself is saturated, so this one is really competitive. I think many big players are aligning their prices with the competition’s prices.’
What are the alternatives to skips?
Smaller items can be dropped off by consumers at a municipal tip.
Another alternative is something called approval. Here a professional company takes away things you don’t need and recycles them or disposes of them in another way.
One company that does this is Just Clear, which also tries to sell items and return the money to the customer.
Over the years, Just Clear has found and sold Picasso artwork worth £90,000, classic cars and more.
O’Shea of Just Clear said: ‘The container rental industry has long been very fragmented, but it does fulfill a real need for a particular market.
‘I think that is the construction and home renovation market, where you have rubble and other very compact material. It fits that perfectly.
‘Where it doesn’t fit is when it comes to home furnishings, large mattresses, sofas, furniture and items for reuse. That’s where our cleanup activities come into play, as an alternative and much better solution for a number of reasons.
“There is a real need and benefit to raise awareness around alternatives to a skip. Maybe you have a refrigerator or a few mattresses and can avoid the hassle of a container at your doorstep.’
Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on it, we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow a commercial relationship to compromise our editorial independence.