The History Behind Skips

Skips have become an essential part of daily living, and most of us have used one at some point. Whether you’re clearing out your home, office or are a professional, skips save time and money. There are many skip hire companies around, but few people know about the history of skip hire. So, where did skips come from?

The Origins of Skips

There are many theories of when and how skips were invented, but general opinion is that the credit should go to the Dempster Brothers. In 1930 the brothers formed their own waste disposal company and needed to remove materials easily. The Dempster Dumpster was the foundation for modern day skips, and future inventors used this initial design to build skips.

A Post War Invention

World War II saw a lot of destruction, especially in Germany. People needed to clear rubble and waste, which is why the skip was invented. Drivers waited for waste to be added to their trucks and then drove them to the waste disposal centre. However, people noticed that this method wasn’t cost-effective as it meant drivers had to wait for long periods of time.

They introduced the skip as a method to collect waste and save money on labour. It also made construction sites safer for members of the public. Skips remained at building sites and were transported to waste disposal sites by drivers when they were full. This inventive method became common practice in post-war Germany, would become the UK’s most popular way of removing waste.

With so many huge changes to Britain in the 1960s, it’s easy to forget the invention of the modern skip. Musical revolutions, fashion crazes and household items dominated the era, but while many of them cease to exist, the skip is still going strong!

In the 1960s the UK adopted Germany’s method of waste removal, and soon skips were common place in construction sites. However, only the rich could afford them as they were expensive. The average skip rental in the 1960s cost an initial £5.00, and then three shillings a day. Skips were only for the rich, but that would soon change.

From Past to Present

A rule introduced in the 1970s decided skips had to be yellow, so they were noticeable in the dark. Since the 1970s they have relaxed this rule, but most skips are still yellow. As the prices began to become more reasonable, households rented skips for clearances and renovation projects.

Skips were originally available in one size, but today there’s a wide range available to suit a variety of needs. Today, if you want to hire a skip you can choose between 2 yards to 12 yards – at Reliable Skip, we offer skip sizes from 4 yards to 12 yards and big commercial 20 yard bins for large scale projects.

Today, both commercial companies and households hire skips, but their popularity has resulted in some drastic changes to environmental policies. In the past, waste disposal companies would take skip waste to a landfill, but now they have to recycle valuable items.

It’s clear that skips are here to stay, but companies must take a responsible stance to protect the environment. One of the world’s most under-rated inventions enables households to save on fuel, remove waste and contribute towards recycling initiatives.