Need to clear out rubbish quickly? You have two main options: hiring a skip bin or using a flexi skip. In this article, we break down the pros and cons of each so you can pick the best fit for your job.
Skip bins vs flexi skips at a glance
Here’s a quick guide to help you choose:
- Skip bins: Best for big jobs, heavy waste (like soil or concrete), or when you need everything gone fast. Great for renovations and construction.
- Flexi skips (Pink Bags): Ideal for smaller loads, lighter rubbish, tricky access, or if you want to fill up at your own pace. Perfect for garage or garden clean-ups.
Skip bins
A skip bin is a large, open-top steel container delivered to your site for easy rubbish removal. Use a skip bin when you have bulky or heavy waste, like during renovations, building projects, or big clear-outs. See our skip bin sizes for more details.
Skip bins are delivered to your driveway or front lawn with no fuss. They’re made of steel and easy to load. Larger bins (6m and 9m) have doors at one end for simple access.
Some companies offer ‘sloping’ bins without doors. These can be harder to load since you have to lift the waste higher to get it in.
Steel bins are costly to make, so we set a hire period to cover those costs. Just like part of your burger price covers the kitchen, your bin hire covers the bin itself.
Steel bins are reused for years and repaired as needed. When they reach the end of their life, they’re recycled into new steel products instead of going to a landfill.
Flexi skip
Flexi skips are flexible bags for rubbish removal. You can:
- Order a Pink Bag online, and we’ll courier it to you
- Buy from Stihl Shop Botany or Central Landscapes East Tamaki
Here are a few advantages of using a flexible bag:
- You can take as long as you like to fill your flexi skip.
- They fit in tight spots, even behind fences, thanks to HIAB trucks.
- Pickup costs less because we collect several bags in one trip.
The downsides to flexi skips
- Some companies can be misleading with their pricing. You will pay a low price for the bag and may assume this includes the collection costs. When you buy a Pink Bag, you’ll pay a one-off fee for the bag, collection and disposal.
- The bags aren’t as easy to load as open-top steel bins. Some would argue that you can’t get as much rubbish in them.
- If a bag is too heavy and filled with sharp objects, like timber with nails or small amounts of concrete, it can rip open, and you’ll arrive home to a mess. We always call if this happens to arrange a solution.
- Bag collection is within 7 days, while skip bins are picked up in 1-2 days. We collect bags by area to keep costs down, which may not suit tight deadlines.
- One major downside to flexi skip bags is their environmental impact. They are plastic, and 99% of them will end up in a landfill after one use. We prioritise the safety of the public and our staff when handling damaged bags.
Price, timing and pickup, what to expect
The biggest differences often come down to cost and convenience. With a skip bin, you get a fast turnaround, as we usually pick it up within 1-2 days of you telling us it’s ready. The hire period is typically set, but we can be flexible if you need more time.
With a flexi skip like a Pink Bag, you can take as long as you like to fill it. However, collection takes a bit longer (usually within 7 days) because we run our trucks on efficient routes through Auckland, just like your council wheelie bin collection. This keeps the cost down for you, and with Pink Bins, the price you pay for a Pink Bag is a one-off fee for the bag, collection, and disposal, with no hidden costs.
Environment, steel skip bins vs plastic flexi skips
We understand you want to make an environmentally responsible choice. Steel skip bins have a great story here. They are used over and over for many years, and when they finally reach the end of their life, the steel is fully recycled.
Flexi skips are single-use plastic, which isn’t ideal for the environment. The good news? We take all waste to our Manukau recycling plant and recover as much as possible, including timber, gib, and scrap metal. This keeps more rubbish out of Auckland’s landfills.
How Pink Bins helps you choose the right option
So, which is best? It all depends on your job. For large, heavy, or fast-turnaround projects, a skip bin is the ideal choice. For smaller, slower, or trickier-to-access jobs, a flexi skip is a great choice.
Whatever you need, we’ve got you covered. You can book a Pink Bin directly on our website for your next project. If a flexi skip seems more suitable for your needs, you can order Pink Bags from us or find them at Stihl Shop Botany and Central Landscapes East Tamaki. Still not sure? Just give our friendly team a call, and we will help you find the right solution.
Frequently asked questions about skip bins and flexi skips
What waste types can’t go in a skip bin or Pink Bag?
Never put hazardous materials like asbestos, chemicals, liquids, gas bottles, or food waste in our bins or bags. If you’re unsure about an item, just give us a call!
Is a flexi skip cheaper than hiring a skip bin?
Yes, a flexi skip is usually cheaper upfront, but a skip bin can be more cost-effective for big or heavy jobs since it holds more.
How long can I keep a skip bin or Pink Bag?
Standard skip bin hire is for 7 days, but we can be flexible if you ask. With a Pink Bag, you can take as long as you need to fill it before we collect it.