RoRo skips vs traditional skips: Which one is right for your business?

Recent government figures reveal that UK businesses generated 40.4 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste in 2020 – a significant share of the country’s 191.2 million tonnes. That’s a staggering amount of waste that needs to be collected, sorted, and processed.

Whether you’re operating a busy construction site or managing a commercial refurbishment, it’s vital that you manage your waste efficiently and responsibly. And that all starts with selecting the right skip for the job. We explore the differences between RoRo skips vs traditional skips, and explain how to choose the best option for your needs.

Key skip definitions

Before we dive into weighing up the pros and cons, it’s vital that you understand what types of skips are available. 

Traditional skips

Also known as builder skips, these are the most common skips you’ll see on driveways or smaller building sites. They’re available in sizes from 2 to 16 yards and are best suited for general waste or medium-sized mixed loads. These skips are versatile and compact, making them ideal for locations with limited space.

RoRo skips

Commonly referred to as roll-on roll-off containers, these are high-capacity, heavy-duty skips that are designed for handling large volumes of waste. They range from 16 to 40 yards and are commonly used during major construction or demolition projects. They require more space than traditional skips and are loaded directly onto lorries, making them ideal for businesses producing bulkier or heavier waste types.

The pros and cons of RoRo skips vs traditional skips

RoRo skips and traditional skips each have their own strengths and limitations. Here’s a breakdown of the key pros and cons of each:

RoRo skip benefits

• Larger capacity – RoRo skips are ideal for high-volume projects as they can hold significantly more waste than traditional skips.
• Great for bulky waste – They’re perfect for handling demolition waste, timber, metal, and other heavy-duty materials.
• Improves site productivity – RoRo skips don’t need to be collected as often, meaning you can focus on completing your project with minimal disruption.
• More cost-effective for larger jobs – Although they are more expensive upfront, RoRo skips save you money in the long-run as you don’t need to pay for frequent collections.

Discover more benefits of RoRo skips for bulk waste management.

RoRo skip disadvantages

• Requires more space – Due to their large size and the need for lorry access, RoRo skips aren’t suitable for all sites.
• Limited accessibility – RoRo skips can’t be placed in narrow or height-restricted areas, which can be a problem in urban or confined spaces.
• Can be more difficult to load – The higher sides of a RoRo skip can make manual loading more challenging without machinery on site.

Traditional skip benefits

• Best for smaller projects – Traditional skips are ideal for garden clearances, minor renovation works, or small-scale construction jobs.
• Fits in tighter spaces – They’re easier to position in driveways, narrow streets, or compact work areas.
• Lower initial hire cost – Traditional skips are usually cheaper to hire for short-term or one-off use.

Read more about the advantages of skip hire in our blog post.

Traditional skip disadvantages

• May need more frequent exchanges – Their smaller capacity means they can fill up quickly, so you may need to arrange multiple collections during your project.
• May require a skip permit – You may need to arrange a permit if you need to place the skip on a public road or pavement, which adds to the cost of hire.
• Can be inefficient for bulky waste – Large, awkwardly shaped items can take up lots of space and cause the skip to fill inefficiently.

How to choose between RoRo skips and builder skips

When choosing between RoRo skips vs builders skips, you’ll need to think about the type and volume of waste you expect to produce, and how long you’ll need the skip for. 

If you’re working on a large-scale construction or demolition project, or you’re handling heavy commercial waste, then a RoRo skip will be more efficient and offer better value for money. However, if your site has limited space, or your waste needs are minimal, then traditional skip hire might be the better option.

We’ve put together this handy table to help you choose the right option for your needs:

Choose McCarthy Marland as your trusted skip supplier

At McCarthy Marland, we are proud to offer efficient and reliable skip hire services to businesses across the South of England. We supply open and enclosed traditional skips in sizes from 2 to 12 yards, as well as open and enclosed RoRo skips from 16 to 40 yards. We offer flexible collections to suit your schedule, causing minimal disruption to your operations. All waste is then sorted and processed at one of our waste transfer stations, where we aim to recover as much recyclable content as possible.  

Still not sure which skip to choose? Get in touch to discuss your skip hire needs and we’ll help you find the perfect option for your site.