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A Brief History of Skips

We all know and use skips, but they haven’t always been available for easy waste management. Skips help people save money, time and energy when clearing out their homes or working on a construction site. So where did skips come from?

The creation of the skip

While there are several theories surrounding the creation of skips, generally, the invention is credited to the Dempster Brothers. They created a waste management company in the 1930s and needed an easy way to transport rubbish. The Dempster Dumpster became the foundation for modern-day skips and future inventors used this as the outline of their plans.

A post-war necessity

World War II brought with it large amounts of destruction, particularly in Germany. In order to clear all the rubbish, something was needed to shift the large amounts of rubble. Originally, drivers would wait for their trucks to be loaded with rubbish and they would take it to a waste disposal centre. However, this wasn’t seen as time-efficient, so the skip was introduced as a method of waste collection. The skip was able to save time and money on labour and provided a safer alternative. Skips stayed at the construction sites until they were full and were then driven back to the waste disposal centre. This became a common practice post-war due to it being much easier, safer and cheaper. It was then picked up as a method of waste disposal in the UK.

1960s Britain

Britain experienced a lot of changes during the 60s, including the use of skips on construction sites. However, at the time, only the rich were able to afford them as they were deemed expensive. In the 1960s, a skip would cost £5 and then an extra three shillings for each day after.

The modern-day skip

In the 1970s, a rule was introduced that skips had to be yellow so that they were easily spotted. That is why today, most skips you see are yellow. During this time, prices became more reasonable, meaning households could hire a skip for their personal renovation projects or clear-outs. Originally, skips were only available in one size, but there has since been an increase in the sizes available – to cater to a variety of needs. Over time, the use of skips has changed, from domestic and commercial uses and there has been a large increase in popularity due to how much easier they make waste clearance. At Black Country Skip Hire, we offer 2, 4, 8 and 16-yard skips to help you with any waste management you may need. If you’re looking for reliable skip hire in the West Midlands, look no further than Black Country Skip Hire. We provide a range of skips, whether you’re sorting out your home or clearing a construction site, we can get the job done.
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