Plasterboard is one of those materials that has often caused confusion when booking a skip hire as to whether or not it can just be added in to a standard skip – in the main the answer is no and the following explains why.
What is plasterboard?
Plasterboard is also known as ‘drywall’ and is essentially an inner layer of mineral called ‘gypsum’ that is sandwiched between two outer layers of lining paper.
The sulphate in the gypsum does not on its own pose a threat, however, it is not straightforward, in that when plasterboard gets damp or wet it breaks down and when it is mixed with other landfill a deadly ‘hydrogen sulphate’ gas can be created and released – this process is called putrefaction and it can occur in landfill sites and in skips if discarded drywall is allowed to get wet.
Hydrogen sulphide is heavier than air, which means it is able to collect in large quantities in invisible pools in the environment. It’s colourless, however, it has a distinct odour of rotten eggs, and this makes it extremely uncomfortable to have to deal with.
All of this can be avoided by keeping gypsum board out of your skip and away from any rain, standing water and other sources of humidity. Even small quantities of plasterboard should be collected up and kept to one side.
One Waste takes it’s duty of care and the safe disposal of plasterboard very seriously and we do not want our customers or employees or any third parties at risk by unwillingly inhaling any toxic fumes.
Unfortunately, you are unable to put plasterboard in skips, which you have other general waste in, however, if you bag any plasterboard in a separate bag or bags and place this dry plasterboard on top of the skip we will take this plasterboard away with your skip when we collect it.
At One Waste we can supply skips for plasterboard only for larger construction projects.
If you have any questions please contact one of the One Waste Operations team.
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