For small and medium builders, better materials planning can cut skip costs, reduce waste and show clients that a site is being managed professionally.

Construction and demolition waste is Ireland’s largest waste stream, with approximately 7.9 million tonnes generated in 2024. Much of this material has value, but that value is quickly lost when reusable items, timber, plasterboard, metals, packaging and general waste are mixed together in one skip.

MyWaste’s Think Before You Skip It campaign encourages builders, trades and renovation contractors to take a simple step before disposal: ask whether an item can be kept, reused, returned, donated, sold or recycled.

Plan before the skip arrives

A short pre-start conversation with the client can prevent good materials being damaged or discarded. Identify items such as cabinets, doors, flooring, sanitary ware, timber and surplus materials that could remain in the home, be reused on another job, returned to a supplier, donated or sold.

Keep valuable materials separate

– Timber: Keep good lengths, doors, pallets and clean offcuts separate for reuse, donation or supplier take-back.

– Plasterboard: Order carefully, cut efficiently and keep offcuts dry and separate from mixed waste.

– Mixed waste: Avoid using the skip as a catch-all. Separate cardboard, metals, plastics and packaging where possible.

– Tools, batteries and electrical items: Keep these out of skips and bring them to appropriate collection points, civic amenity sites or participating retailers.

Quick site checklist

– Walk the job with the client and agree what can be kept or reused.

– Order accurately and store materials clean and dry.

– Separate timber, plasterboard, metals, cardboard, plastics, batteries and electrical items.

– Check supplier take-back options for pallets, packaging and surplus materials.

– Use authorised collectors and keep waste receipts.

Good waste management is good business. It helps control costs, reduce downtime, improve site presentation and show clients that valuable materials are being handled responsibly. Before anything goes into the skip, ask: Can this be reused, returned, recycled or kept in use?

Find out more: Download MyWaste’s builder-friendly posters and practical guides at MyWaste.ie.