All advice / Planning and cost
What comes out of a bathroom
A full bathroom strip-out produces tiles, adhesive, cement sheet, plasterboard, timber framing (if damaged), the old bath or shower base, the toilet, the vanity, tapware, the shower screen and sometimes old plumbing and electrical fittings.
For a standard bathroom of 4 to 6 square metres, this adds up to roughly 1 to 2 cubic metres of waste. A larger bathroom or one with a bath, heavy stone tiles and a full vanity cabinet produces more.
Skip bins and sizing
Most bathroom renovations use a 4-cubic-metre skip bin. That holds the waste from a standard bathroom strip-out — roughly 40 heavy-duty bags of rubble. A larger bathroom or a combined bathroom-and-laundry job may need a 6-cubic-metre bin.
The skip is delivered before demolition starts and collected once the strip-out is complete. In Sydney, skip bin hire for a bathroom renovation runs from $300 to $600 depending on the bin size, the suburb and the hire period.
Our demolition guide covers what happens during the strip-out itself.
What can be recycled
Tiles and concrete rubble go to a construction recycling facility where they are crushed and reused as road base or fill. Metal fittings — copper pipes, brass taps, steel frames — have scrap value and are separated at the depot.
Old toilets, baths and basins made of vitreous china or cast iron are recyclable. Timber framing that is not treated or painted can be chipped. Glass shower screens can be recycled if they are not laminated.
Most licensed skip bin operators sort the waste at a transfer station. The recycling rate for bathroom renovation waste is typically 60 to 80 percent by weight.
Asbestos: the one thing that changes everything
Homes built before 1990 may contain asbestos in the wall lining, floor tiles, adhesive or behind wet-area sheeting. Asbestos cannot go in a standard skip bin. It must be tested, removed by a licensed asbestos removalist, double-bagged in labelled plastic and taken to a licensed disposal facility.
ETR tests for asbestos where the home's age warrants it. The cost of asbestos removal depends on the area and the type of asbestos (bonded or friable). Our written quote allows for testing, and if asbestos is found, the removal is priced and handled as a separate, documented line item.
Our heritage renovation guide covers how asbestos and lead paint are managed in older Sydney homes.
Plasterboard and paint
Plasterboard (gyprock) must be separated from general waste. Most skip bin operators ask for it to be bagged or placed on top of the load for sorting at the depot. Mixing plasterboard through rubble often triggers a surcharge because it contaminates the recycling stream.
Painted surfaces are generally acceptable in construction waste. Lead-based paint, found in homes built before 1970, requires separate handling — the same principle as asbestos. Testing is cheap and quick.
How ETR manages waste
The skip bin is organised as part of the project program. The team separates recyclable materials during demolition rather than after. Drop sheets and dust containment protect the rest of the house from debris during the carry-out.
Kieran C noted that the team provided "drop sheets and surface protection to and from the work area and leaving the site clean and tidy at the end of each day." Waste management is part of that standard, not an afterthought. A free on-site measure anywhere in Sydney is the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How much does waste removal cost in a bathroom renovation?
Skip bin hire for a standard bathroom renovation in Sydney runs $300 to $600 for a 4 to 6-cubic-metre bin. This is usually included in the renovation quote as a line item. Asbestos removal, if needed, is an additional cost.
Can I keep my old bath or vanity?
Yes, if it is in good condition and you want to repurpose or donate it. Let the team know before demolition starts so the item is removed carefully rather than broken out. Charity organisations sometimes collect usable fixtures.
Is bathroom renovation waste recyclable?
Most of it is. Tiles and concrete are crushed for road base. Metals are scrapped. Porcelain fixtures are recyclable. Licensed skip bin operators sort the waste at a transfer station, and 60 to 80 percent by weight is typically diverted from landfill.
What if my bathroom has asbestos?
Asbestos must be removed by a licensed removalist, not by a general builder. It is tested before work begins, removed under controlled conditions, double-bagged in labelled plastic and taken to a licensed disposal facility. The cost depends on the area and type of asbestos.
Where does the skip bin go?
Usually on the driveway or the street verge. If the bin is placed on a public road or footpath, a council permit may be needed. The skip bin operator handles the permit application. The bin is typically on site for the duration of the demolition phase — one to three days.