RoRo Bins for Demolition Projects in London: Complete Guide

Demolition projects generate waste volume and weight that standard skip hire can't handle efficiently. A single-storey commercial building produces 15-25 tonnes of mixed demolition waste. A three-storey residential property generates 40-60 tonnes.

Managing that volume with 12-yard skips means constant collections, delivery coordination, and project disruption. RoRo bins (20 to 40 yard containers designed for high-volume waste) solve this. While each RoRo bin holds up to 18 tonnes due to UK road weight limits, larger projects use exchange service for multiple collections.

This guide covers RoRo bin sizes for demolition work, what affects pricing, site access requirements, and when RoRo bins make more sense than multiple skip rotations.

What Are RoRo Bins?

RoRo stands for "roll on roll off." These are large open-topped containers that get rolled off the back of a specialised lorry using hydraulic arms, sit on site while you fill them, then get rolled back on for collection.

Unlike skips that get lifted onto collection vehicles, RoRo bins stay on the ground throughout. The collection vehicle positions at the front, hydraulic arms engage, and the bin rolls onto the truck bed.

Standard RoRo sizes:

20 yard: Holds roughly 200-250 bin bags worth of waste
40 yard: Holds roughly 400-450 bin bags worth of waste

Most demolition projects use 40-yard RoRo bins due to the volume and weight of materials involved.

When RoRo Bins Make Sense for Demolition Projects

Use RoRo bins when:

High waste volume: Projects generating 10+ tonnes of waste. Single-building demolitions, structural strip-outs, multi-floor clearances.

Heavy materials: Concrete, brickwork, rubble, metal framing, structural timber. Materials that fill a skip by weight before volume.

Extended project duration: Demolitions taking 1-4 weeks with continuous waste generation. One RoRo bin on site beats multiple skip rotations.

Site space available: RoRo bins need approximately 25 feet length × 8 feet width for placement, plus access space for collection vehicle.

Example project: Two-storey commercial building demolition in Stratford. Two 40-yard RoRo bins on exchange service over three weeks. First collection: 18 tonnes mixed demolition material. Second collection: 17 tonnes. Total: 35 tonnes. Two collections vs eight 12-yard skip rotations.

RoRo Bins vs Skip Hire for Demolition

When RoRo makes more sense:

Demolishing entire structures (residential, commercial, industrial)
Projects generating 15+ tonnes of waste
Site compound space available for 40-yard container
Project duration 2+ weeks with continuous waste generation

When skip hire works better:

Partial demolitions or strip-outs under 10 tonnes
Tight site access (narrow streets, restricted vehicle movement)
Short-duration projects (under one week)
Need flexibility with frequent collections

Learn more about skip sizes for construction projects.

For projects where waste volume is predictable and site access allows, RoRo bins typically prove more cost-effective than multiple skip rotations.

RoRo Bin Sizes for Different Demolition Projects

20 Yard RoRo Bins

Capacity: Approximately 18 tonnes (UK road weight limit)

Suitable for:

Single-storey building demolitions
Large strip-outs (removing internals, keeping structure)
Residential garage or outbuilding demolitions
Commercial unit internal demolition

Project example: Single-storey warehouse internal strip-out in Barking. Removed partition walls, suspended ceilings, mezzanine floor, services. 20-yard RoRo collected 18 tonnes mixed demolition waste over two-week project.

40 Yard RoRo Bins

Capacity: Approximately 18 tonnes (UK road weight limit)

Suitable for:

Multi-storey building demolitions
Complete structural demolitions
Large commercial or industrial buildings
Projects with heavy concrete and brickwork

Project example: Three-storey Victorian terrace demolition in Hackney. 40-yard RoRo on site for four weeks with exchange service. First collection: 18 tonnes mixed waste. Second collection: 18 tonnes. Total: 36 tonnes across two collections (brickwork, timber joists, concrete, roofing materials, internal fixtures).

Material density matters: Both 20-yard and 40-yard bins have the same 18-tonne weight limit (UK road regulations). The difference is volume. Heavy materials (concrete, brickwork) may fill the weight limit before filling the volume. Lighter materials (timber, plasterboard) fill the volume before reaching weight limit. Demolition projects typically mix both.

What Goes in a Demolition RoRo Bin

Standard demolition waste: ✅ Bricks and blockwork
✅ Concrete and rubble
✅ Structural timber
✅ Metal framing and reinforcement
✅ Roofing materials (tiles, slates, felt)
✅ Doors, windows, frames
✅ Plasterboard and render
✅ General building materials

Items requiring separate handling: ❌ Asbestos (specialist removal and disposal required)
❌ Hazardous materials (lead paint, contaminated materials)
❌ WEEE items (electrical equipment)
❌ Refrigerants and chemicals

Items with additional disposal charges: Some materials require compliant specialist disposal:

Upholstered items (sofas, padded seating)
Carpet and underlay
Plasterboard (regulatory separation requirements)

These can go in RoRo bins but are charged separately based on volume or weight to reflect compliant disposal costs.

For projects involving asbestos or hazardous materials, specialist collection is required before standard demolition waste removal.

Site Access Requirements for RoRo Bins

RoRo bins need more access space than standard skips due to vehicle size.

Delivery vehicle requirements:

Length: Approximately 30 feet (including bin)
Width: 8-9 feet
Height clearance: 13-14 feet (for overhead obstacles)

Placement location:

Level, stable ground (concrete, compacted hardcore)
25 feet length × 8 feet width minimum
Clear of overhead cables, tree branches, building overhangs
Collection vehicle needs straight-line access to bin front (approximately 35 feet clear space)

Site compound placement: Most demolition sites have dedicated compound areas where RoRo bins can be positioned throughout the project. This avoids public road placement and permit requirements.

If site access requires public road placement, council permits are typically required.

Learn more about skip permit requirements.

RoRo Bin Hire Duration for Demolition Projects

Standard hire periods:

One week: Small single-building demolitions
Two weeks: Standard residential demolitions
Three-four weeks: Larger commercial or multi-storey projects

Exchange service: For projects generating more waste than single bin capacity, exchange works well: collect full bin, deliver empty replacement simultaneously. Maintains project flow without waste accumulation.

Wait and load service: RoRo delivered, demolition crew loads immediately (same day or 2-3 days), collection scheduled once loaded. No extended hire charges. Suitable when demolition generates all waste quickly.

Learn more about wait and load vs hire periods.

What Affects RoRo Bin Pricing

Location: Central London typically costs more than outer London due to disposal facility distances.

Material type:

Mixed demolition waste: Standard rate
Heavy inert waste (concrete, bricks): Often lower disposal costs
Mixed with plasterboard: Higher due to separation requirements

Segregating materials on site (separate bins for concrete/brick vs mixed waste) can reduce overall costs.

Hire duration and weight: Longer hire periods cost more. Most pricing includes the 18-tonne weight allowance. Attempting to exceed this creates legal issues as lorries cannot transport overweight loads.

Booking RoRo Bins for Demolition Projects

Information needed:

Site address and access details (ground conditions, width, overhead clearance)
What's being demolished (building type, materials)
Expected waste volume and hire duration
Waste type (concrete, brick, timber, mixed)
Delivery and collection timing

Most demolition RoRo bins can be delivered within 24-48 hours. For specific delivery dates or multiple bins, book 3-5 days in advance.

Compliance and Documentation

Every RoRo bin collection requires waste transfer notes (legal requirement), documenting what was collected, where it's going, carrier licence verification, and collection date. Keep these for minimum two years.

Verify your supplier holds a valid waste carrier licence. Check the Environment Agency public register. Using unlicensed carriers creates legal liability.

Learn more about construction waste compliance requirements.

RoRo Bins Across London

Access characteristics vary by area:

Inner London: Tight access, parking restrictions. RoRo bins often need on-site compound placement.

Outer London: Generally better vehicle access and more placement space.

Industrial estates: Often ideal for RoRo placement with good vehicle access.

Residential/Commercial areas: Variable access depending on property age and street layout. Coordination may be required with building management.

Consider local access characteristics when planning RoRo placement.

Alternative: Grab Hire for Demolition Projects

Some demolition projects suit grab hire better than RoRo bins:

When grab hire works well:

Very tight access (narrow streets, no RoRo vehicle access)
Waste already piled and accessible from roadside
Need rapid collection without container on site
No space for RoRo bin placement

Grab hire process: Lorry with hydraulic grab arm collects waste directly from pile. No container left on site. Common for muckaway and soil removal.

Learn more about grab hire and muckaway services.

RoRo vs grab hire decision: If you have space for container and continuous waste generation, RoRo bins typically work better. If access is very restricted or waste is already piled, grab hire may be more suitable.

Common Questions

How much does a 40-yard RoRo bin cost? Pricing varies by location, material type, and hire duration. Contact suppliers with project specifics for accurate quotes.

Can I overfill a RoRo bin? No. Bins must not be filled above the top edge for safe and legal transport.

What if the bin fills faster than expected? Call for early collection and exchange. Good suppliers offer same-day or next-day exchange service.

Can concrete and brickwork go in the same bin as timber? Yes, mixed demolition waste is standard. However, separating pure concrete/brick into dedicated bins can reduce disposal costs.

Book RoRo Bins for Your Demolition Project

If you're managing demolition projects in London and need RoRo bins that actually show up when confirmed, we can help.

WasteHub handles RoRo bin hire for demolition contractors across London. We coordinate delivery timing, ensure proper site access, and issue waste transfer notes within 24 hours.

Contact us:

WhatsApp: 07949 088642
Call: 0204 638 2307
Email: sales@wastehub.com

Or request a quote for your project.

We'll confirm sizing, access requirements, and timing for your demolition project.

Related Services

Topics:

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Last Updated: December 2024