Maybe you have ever hired a skip bin before; after it is full, it leaves you wondering where all the waste actually goes. How is it sorted out, and what parts of it are eventually recycled?

Well, this guide takes you through the whole process of how skip bins get emptied in very easy steps.

Step 1: Gathering and Conveyance

Collection is the very first process after filling up the skip bin. Experts in waste management come to the site with a vehicle designed for that particular purpose.

Such trucks are fabricated to collect filled skip bins, which at times may be very heavy, safely and transport them without spilling anything or causing any other damage to the surroundings. Using the mechanical arm or chain system, it will lift the bin onto the back of the truck.

Loading of the bin: after loading of the bin, it is secured to be moved on to the next process. Though this step seems easy, it is a very crucial stage to ensure all the wastes are passed through the following process without any problem.

Step 2: Sorting of Waste

Well, after collection, the skip bin is taken to a facility where all wastes are sorted out. This is where magic happens.

Basically, the aim is to sort through all the waste to separate out recyclable material from the rest. First, the skip bin is tipped onto a moving conveyor belt at the facility.

Then, workers and heavy machinery sort the waste into various categories. The general breakup of primary inputs they usually come across is:

1. Recyclable Materials
   Composed of metal cans, plastic bottles, glass containers, and paper, all these materials are separated because it is possible to process them and turn them into new products.
2. Organic Waste
   This includes any other organic material that readily decomposes, like leftovers, gardening wastes, or wood. Organic wastes are normally disposed of at a composting site, where they undergo the decomposition process to finally turn into compost.
   Compost is applied to the soils in order to enhance the fertility levels in gardens and farms.
3. Hazardous Waste
   Some materials are dangerous and require special handling, such as batteries, chemicals, and certain types of electronic waste. Such things are separated with care and sent to facilities where they can be treated safely.
4. General Waste
   This is what does not belong in any other category. Typically, it consists of non-recyclable material and is comprised of old furniture, mixed materials, and some types of plastics.
   Most of this will end up landfilled or incinerated.

Step 3: Recycling and Disposal

After the waste is sorted, the recyclable materials are sent to different recycling plants. Further processing takes place thereafter.

Plastic, for example, can be shredded into small pieces and melted to form new plastic objects. The metal can be melted and formed into new metal products.

The idea is thus to re-utilise as much of the waste material as possible, thereby cutting down the intake of fresh raw materials. Organic waste is sent to composting facilities, where it undergoes decomposition to finally turn into a kind of juice called compost, which is greatly rich in nutrients and therefore quite appropriate for gardens and farms.

Other than providing nutrients, composting also improves soil health and, as a result, reduces the requirements for chemical fertilisers. Hazardous waste undergoes special treatment to ensure that it does not harm the environment.

For example, old batteries may be broken down to draw out the chemicals inside safely and then reused or disposed of safely. Not all things can be recycled, unfortunately.

Certain waste, referred to as general waste, ends up in landfills. Because the waste is sorted out, only a very small portion of waste collected from the skip bins actually makes it to landfills.

The rest get either reprocessed or composted, which is much better for the environment.

Step 4: Environmental Benefits

Therefore, the emptying of skip bins falls under the umbrella of a responsible process for waste management in Australia. This way, through recycling and composting, a huge part of the waste does not end up in landfills, which is good for the environment.

Landfills can cover vast areas and are often prone to causing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, through recycling and composting, waste management companies attempt to reduce the effect as much as possible.

For instance, some companies like Jim's Skip Bins pride themselves on recycling up to 70% or even 90% of the waste collected. This is tantamount to reduced landfill waste and material being transformed into new products.

Why It Matters

Understanding how skip bins get emptied gives insight into why it's important to dispose of your waste responsibly. If you realise that most of what goes into your skip bin is going to be sorted and recycled, then you can feel better about the impact you're having on the environment.

By choosing a waste management company that takes recycling seriously, you are creating a better world for the future. Whether cleaning up the garage, renovating the house, or working on construction projects, one can see that skip bins are pretty convenient for managing waste in your premises.

Now, you precisely know what happens to that waste once it leaves your property. While the process of emptying skip bins is simple, it is a vital process in the Australian waste management system.

Every part of this process, from collection and sorting to the recycling and phases of disposal, is done with minimal impacts to the environment and has considerations for sustainability. So, next time you hire a skip bin, keep in mind that you are not only getting rid of waste but also helping to save the environment with proper waste management practices.

Need a skip bin? Ezi Skip Bins makes booking easy for effective, eco-friendly waste disposal.

Want to learn more? Contact them today to see how we ensure your waste is disposed of responsibly.