Keeping Your Skip Bin in Top Shape
Maintenance and Cleaning Tips
Having a skip bin on your property can be a convenient way to dispose of waste and debris.
However, like any equipment, skip bins require regular maintenance and cleaning to keep them in proper working order.
Neglecting skip bin upkeep can lead to hygiene issues, damage, clogs, and even fines from local councils.
In this article, skip bin professionals will explore the importance of skip bin maintenance and provide tips on how to keep your bins clean, tidy, and free of problems.
From conducting routine inspections to performing thorough cleans, we’ll cover everything you need to know about skip bin care and compliance.
Health and Safety Risks of Poor Skip Bin Maintenance
Improperly maintained skip bins can pose a variety of hazards and hassles for your property and the surrounding community.
Without regular cleaning, skip bins become magnets for grime, stains, insects, and odors. Rotting debris and food waste attract flies, rodents, and other vermin that can spread disease. Overflowing bins also draw rats and cockroaches looking for an easy meal.
A Proactive Maintenance Plan
The good news is that diligent maintenance keeps your skip bins clean, secure, and running smoothly. Preventative care reduces risks and keeps bins clear of problems that are difficult and costly to remedy after the fact.
Here are pro tips for skip bin maintenance and cleaning:
Routine Inspections and Minor Repairs
- Check bins weekly for leaks, cracks, rust, and damage. Look for punctures, detachments, or sharp protrusions that could harm workers during the handling of heavy items.
- Tighten screws, latches, and hinges. Fix any wobbly wheels or broken auto-latching mechanisms.
- Check for and remove debris stuck to the inside or lid. Remove any food, grease, or moisture that can corrode the bin.
- Spot clean bins after inspections using appropriate detergents and disinfectants.
Major Deep Cleans
- Perform thorough cleaning of all bins monthly or bi-monthly depending on use.
- Remove all trash and debris from the bin like green waste, bulky items, hazardous materials, and heavy objects.
- Wash using a pressure washer. Scrape off caked-on gunk or stains.
- Use hot water and degreasing agents for oily stains. Bleach and detergent remove bacterial growth.
- Rinse thoroughly after washing. Fully dry bins before returning to use.
- Replace damaged bins, lids, wheels, latches, lift arms, or signs. Repair any detachments or leaks appropriately.
Other Maintenance Best Practices
- Keep lids closed and locked to deter vermin from getting inside.
- Avoid overfilling bins past capacity. Don’t compact all types of waste like appliances forcefully.
- Place bins on level ground like the nature strip and use wheel chocks during filling/emptying.
- Lubricate hinges, wheels, and other moving parts to prevent seizing.
- Stencil bin identification numbers to assist drivers with pickups.
Additional Tips for Keeping Your Skip Bins Compliant
In addition to health and safety issues, failing to properly maintain skip bins can result in fines or penalties. Local councils have regulations about bin placement, identification, containment, and cleanliness.
Follow these tips to keep your bins fully compliant:
- Check with your local council about licensing, allowed a wide range of waste types, skip bin size limits, placement rules, and other requirements for skip bins in your area. Failure to comply can result in citations, especially for larger items.
- Make sure lids seal tightly and bins don’t leak hazardous waste, dust, or fluids onto the ground or waterways during storage or transport. Environmental fines can apply.
- Keep bins away from street curbs, vehicle lanes, storm drains, power lines, and other problematic locations. Place on a flat surface away from operations.
- Clearly stencil bin identification and contact information on multiple sides per local regulations. This assists drivers with proper pickup and rubbish removal.
- Keep bins graffiti-free and clean up any spilled debris, trash, or stains around the bin promptly after filling.
- Ensure transporting companies have proper licensing and same-day delivery. Unlicensed operators can lead to fines for both parties.
- Utilise appropriate liner bags inside bins to prevent leaks and traceability issues.
With some periodic effort, your skip bin hire can continue operating safely, legally, and effectively. A maintenance checklist and cleaning schedule help keep your bins compliant and problem-free year after year.
FAQ About Skip Bin Maintenance
How often should I clean my skip bin services?
Minor cleanings and inspections should occur weekly. Thorough deep cleaning after a renovation should happen monthly or every other month depending on your frequency of use and type of waste.
What cleaning solutions should I use?
Dish soap, degreasers, and bleach-based detergents help break down food waste, oils, and organic matter. Use brushes and pressure washers with hot water.
What are signs my bins need repair?
Look for rust, punctures, detached parts, clogged wheels and gears, missing reflectors/markers, and chipped paint or welds. Rodents nesting inside are also a red flag.
Can I get fined for damaged skip bins?
Yes, local councils may fine you if your bins are improperly maintained, unsanitary, damaged, leaking, or violating containment or identification rules.
How can I prevent rodents and insects from infesting bins?
Keep lids closed and locked. Clean regularly to remove food sources. Use traps or natural repellents if infestations occur. Avoid overfilling bins.
Conclusion
Regular skip bin maintenance is essential for safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.
But it doesn’t need to be a chore.
With minor weekly checks and tasks plus thorough monthly cleans, you can stay on top of your bins in just a few dedicated hours each month.
The small-time investment saves major hassles down the road.
Well-maintained bin weight keeps your property tidy, prevents pest issues, reduces injury risks, avoids neighbor complaints, and steers clear of citations or fines.
