Different Types of Waste

How To Classify Your Waste

Classifying your different types of waste prior to collection does not have to be an arduous task that many perceive it to be. In most instances, your common sense, on both your part and ours, will go a long way in assisting the team at Prowaste in knowing the specific types of waste we’ll be collecting.

Prowaste are not expecting you to painstakingly go through and separate every different type of waste.

Information and communication is power, especially here. In the large majority of instances, we will know that if we are collecting from a business, it will be Commercial waste. Similarly, if we are collecting from a Residential Homeowner, it will generally be Domestic waste.

The more information you can supply us with ahead of our team collecting your waste skips, the better.

Where possible, supplying us with the correct European Waste Catalogue Code, (EWC), and the Standard Industrial Classification codes (if relevant), would make the entire collection process smooth and efficient.

Domestic Construction Waste 

This is the type of waste that most homes would produce during a renovation or house clearance. Waste types such as tiles, plasterboard, metal, flooring, wood, card-boxes, ceramics, old books, furniture, sinks and bathtubs would all constitute Domestic Construction Waste.

Commercial Waste 

Common sense dictates that the different types of waste that are produced by a business will be commercial waste. Filing cabinets, old printer cartridges, tables, chairs, plastic and packaging, timber and metal are all types of commercial waste. You may also find many items found in a Domestic Waste application as Commercial Waste. 

Clinical or Medical Waste 

Clinical or Medical waste types are normally produced by hospitals, clinics and similar medical institutions. Sharp pointed objects, old needles, out of date medication, vaccines, blood samples and amputated limbs are all types of Clinical or Medical Waste types. It goes without saying that such waste needs to be treated with caution and can be very harmful.

Hazardous Waste

As with all types of waste, it is imperative that Hazardous Waste types are disposed of correctly. The UK government imposes large fines and it is in fact illegal to dispose of this type of waste improperly. Once again, the rule of common sense can be used here. Think about if this specific waste would be harmful to you, or your family; is it poisonous or explosive? 

These types of waste are all hazardous: old batteries, asbestos, TV’s, mattresses, refrigerators, paint, thinners, fluorescent tubes and lighting are the most common types of Hazardous waste.  

In many instances, you will find hazardous waste items marked with orange and black danger symbols, or a red and white hazard pictograms to indicate they’re hazardous.  

Please note that it is illegal to mix hazardous waste with either non-hazardous or another hazardous waste. 

Waste Types that Prowaste accept 

As long as you correctly advise us of the type of waste that you are disposing, we can then ensure we provide the right skip, cage lorry or roll on off containers. We can remove all of the following: 

• Household Waste 
• Construction and Building Waste (Bricks, Hardcoare, Rubble, Concrete)
• Garden Waste 
• Soil
• Furniture 
• Wood
• Plastic
• Boxes 
• Paper
• Old Toys 
• Clothes 
• Washing Lines 
• Washing Machines 
• Tumble Dryers 
• Other General Dry Waste

Waste Types that Prowaste cannot accept in a skip 

There are certain types of waste that cannot be put in our skips and these items include the following: 

• Tins, Aerosols and Gas Canisters with a skull and crossbones; this includes items such as oil based paints, acids and toxic chemicals 
• Fridges and Freezers, as they have a gas bottle that can explode 
• Waste Electrical Equipment – such as old computer monitors and TV’s
• Asbestos 
• Explosives
• Batteries
• Tyres
• Oil or Fuel
• Plasterboard 
• Fluorescent Light Tubes
• Mattresses 
• Medical Waste
• Large Tree Trunks

We may be able to collect and dispose of these items at some of our depots, but for an additional charge. However, even if we are unable to do so, we will be able to direct you to, or give you the phone number of those who can help. 

Please contact us on 0208 879 9892  if you have any of the above items and we will advise you how best to dispose of these types of waste.  

For more useful information, please visit the following pages on the Prowaste website: Interior Fitout | Major Construction | SME Builders | Domestic Builders | Wheelie Bins