A garden clean-up always produces more waste than you expect. Hedge trimmings, branches, old pots, broken pavers, and weeds can fill a trailer very fast. The right skip bin turns a messy weekend into a simple job, but the wrong size or waste type can cost you extra. This guide explains how to choose a skip bin for a garden clean-up in Perth, from size to waste type to loading tips.
You can also look at skip bin hire across Perth and surrounding suburbs to see the full service area before you book.
Step 1: List What You Are Throwing Out
Walk around your yard and write down what has to go. Garden jobs usually fall into a few groups:
Green waste: grass, leaves, tree trimmings, small branches, weeds, and bark
Soil and dirt: excess soil from garden beds or levelling
Hardfill: bricks, pavers, concrete, sand, and gravel
General rubbish: old pots, broken furniture, plastic, and light household waste
Bulky items: old fencing, sheds, or timber
This list matters because each group goes into a different type of bin. If you mix them, you may be charged extra.
Step 2: Pick the Right Waste Type
Skip bins are booked by waste type, and garden jobs can involve more than one.
Green waste bin: for grass, leaves, trimmings, small branches, weeds, and bark. Soil, tree trunks and stumps, and plants such as cabbage trees, bamboo, and flax are not allowed. You can see exactly what a green waste bin allows before you load.
Soil and dirt bin: for soil and dirt only, with no garden waste, turf, or general waste mixed in.
Clean and hardfill bin: for bricks, pavers, concrete, sand, gravel, and tiles.
Mixed waste bin: for a combination such as green waste, timber, bricks, tiles, metal, and general household waste. It does not accept soil, clay, or dirt.
General waste bin: for light household, office, and light construction waste. It does not accept hardfill, liquids, or food waste.
If your garden project includes lawn work, new paving, and old rubbish all at once, you may need more than one bin. It helps to choose between soil, hardfill and mixed waste bins before you order.
Step 3: Estimate How Much Waste You Have
Skip bin capacity is measured in cubic metres. A simple way to picture it is by wheelie bins:
- A 2m³ bin holds about 8 wheelie bins of waste
- A 3m³ bin holds about 12 wheelie bins
- A 6m³ bin holds about 24 wheelie bins
- An 8m³ bin holds about 32 wheelie bins
Count how many full wheelie bins or trailer loads your waste would fill, then choose a bin that covers it with a little to spare.
Step 4: Choose the Right Size for Your Garden Job
Garden job | Bin size to consider |
Small tidy-up, light pruning, weeds | 2m³ to 3m³ |
Hedge and tree trimming, a few garden beds | 3m³ to 4m³ |
Whole-yard tidy with old fencing or furniture | 5m³ to 6m³ |
Major landscaping with heavy green waste | 8m³ and above |
Paving, concrete, or soil removal | A clean and hardfill or soil bin, sized to the load |
Heavy material like soil, concrete, and bricks fills a bin's weight limit before it fills the space, so it needs the correct bin type and sensible sizing. When you are not sure, compare bin capacities from 2m³ to 12m³ and size up rather than risk a second delivery.
Step 5: Check What Is Not Allowed
Some items should never go in a standard skip bin, even in a garden job:
Asbestos: older sheds, fencing, and garden structures can contain it, so stop and get it tested if you are unsure.
Liquids and chemicals: garden sprays, fertiliser liquids, paint, and oils
Old tyres: and other items listed as prohibited by your provider
Leaving these out of the bin avoids extra fees and keeps drivers safe.
Step 6: Plan Where the Bin Will Go
- Choose a flat, hard surface such as a driveway, close to where you are working.
- Keep the bin away from overhead power lines and low branches, especially if you are trimming trees.
- Make sure a truck can reach the spot.
- If the bin has to go on a street or public land, you need permission from your local council first.
Step 7: Book the Hire Period and Time
The standard hire period is seven days. If your clean-up runs longer, you can contact the team about an extension, which may involve extra charges. Delivery is available all year round, including Sundays and public holidays, depending on routes and availability, so it is wise to confirm availability for busy times. You can choose the delivery time and location when you book.
Tips to Fit More Garden Waste in Your Bin
- Cut branches down. Shorter pieces pack tightly and leave fewer gaps.
- Load in layers. Put flat and dense material first, then lighter green waste on top.
- Keep types separate. Do not mix soil, turf, or rubbish into a green waste bin.
- Do not overfill. Stay below the fill line so the bin can be collected safely.
- Keep it dry when you can. Wet green waste is heavier, so be mindful of weight limits.
Common Garden Clean-Up Mistakes
- Booking one bin for green waste, soil, and rubbish together
- Underestimating how much a hedge or tree cut will produce
- Putting tree stumps or trunks in a green waste bin
- Forgetting to check old fibro sheds or fences for asbestos
- Ordering the bin too late and losing days on your project
Where to Book
Whether you live near the coast or further inland, you can book online and choose your bin size, waste type, and delivery time. Local pages include garden waste skip bins for Morley residents and skip bin hire for Willetton garden projects. When you are ready, you can reserve a garden clean-up bin online, or discover how Genie Skip Bins works nationwide if you have projects in more than one city.
Final Thoughts
A good garden clean-up starts with a clear list of what you are removing. Match each waste group to the right bin type, choose a size with a little room to spare, plan a safe flat spot, and keep banned items out. Do that, and your Perth garden project can move quickly from messy to finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size skip bin do I need for a garden clean-up?
Small tidy-ups suit 2m³ to 3m³, medium jobs suit 3m³ to 6m³, and large landscaping suits 8m³ or more, depending on how much you are removing.
Can I put soil and green waste in the same bin?
No. Soil goes in a soil and dirt bin, and green waste goes in a green waste bin. Mixing them can lead to extra charges.
Can I put tree stumps or trunks in a green waste bin?
No. Tree trunks and stumps are not accepted in a green waste bin.
How long can I keep the skip bin?
The standard hire is seven days, and it may be extended with extra charges.
Can I get delivery on a weekend or public holiday?
Yes, delivery runs all year round including Sundays and public holidays, depending on routes and bin availability.
Do I need a permit?
Only if the bin goes on a street or public land. A bin on your own property usually does not need council permission.
