Bulk bags, sometimes called dumpy bags or FIBCs, are a popular alternative to a skip. They are cheap or free if you have had sand or aggregate delivered, they fold away when not in use, and they can sit on a drive without a council permit. The catch is getting them collected: many bag collection services use a crane lorry that needs to park right next to the bag, and an overfilled or badly placed bag can be refused.
This service collects filled bags wherever they are, either by lifting where the vehicle can get close or by emptying them by hand and loading the contents. The empty bags are taken away too, so nothing is left on the drive. Bags of clean rubble or soil are priced lower than bags of mixed waste, so keeping materials in separate bags pays off.
What is included
- Collection of one-tonne bulk bags of rubble, hardcore, soil or mixed waste
- Collection of smaller builders' rubble bags in any quantity
- Hand-emptying bags that are overfilled or out of crane reach
- Removing the empty bags so nothing is left behind
- Sweeping the drive or pavement after collection
- Transport to a licensed site for recycling or disposal
- A waste transfer note for the collection
Who it is for
- Homeowners who have filled bags during a DIY project
- Builders bagging waste on tight sites with no skip space
- Bags left over from a landscaping or garden job
- Bags placed where a crane lorry cannot reach
- Overfilled bags that a crane collection has refused
How much does it cost?
As a guide, collecting one filled one-tonne bulk bag usually costs £70 to £150, with lower rates per bag for several at once. Smaller builders' bags are often priced as part of a small pile, around £80 to £180 for ten to fifteen bags. See our full cost guide.
