Choosing a skip bin sizes seems like a simple task until the moment you’re on the phone, and the person on the other end says, “Okay, what size do you require?” We never know. Do we order a 3m³ skip bin or a 6m³ bin for that pile of old wood and that smashed wardrobe? Too small a skip bin and we’re paying for two. Too large and we’re wasting money on space, not to mention blocking our driveway.
Below is a layman’s guide as to how much each size of skip bin can actually hold.
First, What Does “m³” Even Mean?
The capacity of skip bins is measured in cubic metres. One cubic metre is approximately one box which is 1 metre long, 1 metre wide, and 1 metre tall. Therefore, a 4m³ skip bin has space for around four such boxes’ worth of trash, give or take. An easy way to measure a skip bin is by thinking of the 240-litre wheelie bin, where a 2m³ skip bin has eight such bins, 3m³ has twelve, and 4 m³ has sixteen.
When you still cannot figure it out, try to think about your garbage in terms of trailer loads. For most people, it is easier to say “it is about three trailer loads”.
The Sizes, One by One
Here are the bins provided by SapBinHire in Geelong and their sizes as stated on their website:
| Size | Length × Width × Height | Best for |
| 2m³ | 1.6m × 1.6m × 1.0m | Garden waste and minor clean-ups |
| 3m³ | 2.5m × 1.6m × 1.0m | Small home clean-ups, decluttering, garden waste |
| 4m³ | 3.2m × 1.6m × 1.0m | Apartment clear-outs, medium renovations, furniture |
| 6m³ | 3.7m × 1.6m × 1.3m | Medium renovations, small commercial projects |
| 8m³ | 4.9m × 1.8m × 0.9m | Medium home renovations, garden clean-ups, small commercial jobs |
| 9m³ | 4.5m × 1.6m × 1.5m | Demolition, construction, commercial cleanouts |
| 12m³ | 4.5m × 2.3m × 1.3m | Large renovations, bulk waste, construction debris |
The small ones (2m³ and 3m³). These are the workhorses of our everyday life. If your garden needs pruning for a weekend, or your shed needs organizing, along with a few garbage bags and a damaged bookshelf, all of this can be done by them without any difficulty. They would be ideal if you have a narrow driveway or if you own an old property with difficult accessibility, as they are also used for garden waste skip bin hire.
The middle sizes (4m³ and 6m³). That is where most of the renovation work ends up. Removal of carpets, removal of the laundry, and clearing of the whole garage, which hasn’t been used in 10 years, usually requires a 4m³ bin. When you have large things like timber frames or couches as well, then use a 6m³ bin.
The big ones (8m³, 9m³ and 12m³). They are suitable for large-scale renovation and demolition works, as well as commercial cleanouts. If you are a contractor or doing a complete home cleanup, you may most probably be interested in this category. Commercial skip bin sizes hire Geelong will certainly lead you to this category.
A Few Things People Forget
Weight matters as much as volume. The difference between a bin loaded with cardboard and one loaded with bricks is huge. Dense substances such as concrete, earth, and rubble weigh down a bin way before the bin is full of them; hence, inform your supplier what you are loading into it. You should never stack your garbage higher than the lip of the bin.
Think about where it’s going. Ensure that there is a level area where the truck can gain easy access. If your garbage bin cannot be placed at your site, then a council permit might be necessary, and a reputable service will help you out.
When in doubt, go up one size. The difference in price from one size to the next is generally lower than that of renting two bins. Do not take the third size bigger to be on the safe side since you will be paying for unused space.
Booking Without the Guesswork
Many who seek skip bins for hire in Geelong are those who make reservations in a hurry, typically halfway through the cleaning when they discover that the pile is larger than they thought it would be. This is okay. If you require your skip bin urgently, then try to search for skip bin hire same-day delivery in Geelong, considering that Sap Bin Hire endeavours to deliver their bins within three hours of reservation. If you are not an enterprise but rather a homeowner, then you will see that residential skip bin hire in Geelong revolves around 2m³ to 6m³ capacity.
Not sure at all? Describe what the job is to the team. “It’s a garage clean-out with some used furniture” will land you a much better recommendation than staring at a sizing chart.
FAQs
A. A 4m³ bin will fit most garages and will have an excellent combination of boxes and junk. If you are dealing with lots of furniture and timber, then get the 6m³ bin.
A. The 2m³ dumpster can accommodate eight wheelie bins, the 3m³ about twelve wheelie bins, and the 4m³ about sixteen wheelie bins. This is just an estimate to make your life easier.
A. No, the waste should be at the same level as the bin. Overfilled bins are difficult to transport and could result in additional charges.
A. Upgrading to the next size option is always less expensive than upgrading to another bin after a while. Upgrading to multiple sizes is simply paying for unused space.
A. SapBinHire strives to ensure that deliveries are made in approximately three hours from the time of booking. Same-day delivery comes in handy where there is an unexpected need for clean-up services.
Conclusion
Just figure out how much waste you have in terms of trailer loads, consider if your load is light or heavy, look into your access, and add up a size if you’re in doubt. Follow these steps and do your clean-up with just one bin and one booking only.
Follow us on Instagram.


