How skip sizes are measured
A skip's size is its volume in cubic metres. One cubic metre is a cube 1 m long, 1 m wide and 1 m high. To make that easier to picture, the table below compares each size with a standard 240-litre household wheelie bin (0.24 m³) and a 6×4 box trailer loaded level with its sides (roughly 1 m³). These are rough comparisons. Bin shapes vary between operators, so we don't quote exact dimensions.
| Size | About | About | Typical Taree job |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 m³ | ≈ 8 wheelie bins | ≈ 2 trailer loads | A carport or shed tidy-up in Taree, or a small amount of heavy waste such as broken pavers. |
| 3 m³ | ≈ 13 wheelie bins | ≈ 3 trailer loads | A backyard clean-up, a room or two of old furniture, or a weekend of pruning. |
| 4 m³ | ≈ 17 wheelie bins | ≈ 4 trailer loads | A bathroom or laundry renovation, or old carpet and underlay from a few rooms. |
| 6 m³ | ≈ 25 wheelie bins | ≈ 6 trailer loads | A kitchen renovation, or clearing a holiday house at Old Bar or Harrington. |
| 8 m³ | ≈ 33 wheelie bins | ≈ 8 trailer loads | Moving house, a deceased estate, or a medium renovation with mixed waste. |
| 9 m³ | ≈ 38 wheelie bins | ≈ 9 trailer loads | Bigger renovations, extensions, or clearing a farmhouse with bulky items. |
| 12 m³ | ≈ 50 wheelie bins | ≈ 12 trailer loads | Building sites, a shed or deck demolition, or a large post-storm clean-up. Needs good truck access. |
Wheelie bin figure = size ÷ 0.24 m³, rounded. Not every operator stocks every size.
Choosing the right size
Around Taree, a 2–3 m³ skip covers most carport and shed clean-outs, 4 m³ a bathroom, 6 m³ a kitchen, and 8 m³ or more a whole house. After a Manning River flood, wet carpet, plasterboard and furniture are heavy and bulky at the same time, so size up and tell the operator it's a flood job.
Rough rule: a pile 2 m long, 1 m wide and 1 m high is about 2 m³.
Heavy waste needs a smaller bin
Soil, sand, concrete, bricks, tiles and rock are much heavier than household junk for the same volume. Operators usually limit heavy waste to smaller bins (often 2–4 m³) and may charge for extra weight or ask you not to fill past a line. If you're digging out a garden bed or breaking up a slab, choose "Soil, concrete or bricks" in the form so the quote is based on the right bin.
Some operators also offer skip bags of about 1 m³. Heavy waste (soil, concrete, bricks, tiles) usually goes in a smaller bin because of weight limits. Rural blocks out towards Krambach, Croki or Johns River may need a check on access for the truck.
Space and access for the truck
Skip trucks need a firm, level spot and clearance from wires and trees. On low-lying blocks near the river, avoid soft ground after rain. Rural driveways out towards Krambach, Croki or Johns River may need an access check. If the only space is the road, read the MidCoast permit guide.
Not sure? Ask for help
If you can't decide, pick "Not sure, help me choose" in the quote form and describe the job in a sentence. The local operator who quotes you can suggest a size. If you think you're between two sizes, the bigger one is often cheaper than a second bin later, but check the price of both. See also what can and can't go in a skip.
Where this information comes from
Council rules, hours and fees change. Check with the council or facility before you rely on them.