What Can a Grab Lorry Take? A Guide to Grab Hire Waste Types

What Can a Grab Lorry Take? A Guide to Grab Hire Waste Types

Grab hire is an efficient and cost-effective method of waste removal for both domestic and commercial projects. But one of the most common questions we get at L&S Waste is: what kind of waste can a grab lorry take?

Whether you're clearing a site in Portsmouth, digging out a driveway in Fareham, or demolishing a property in Chichester, knowing what can (and can’t) go into a grab lorry helps keep your project compliant and cost-efficient.

What is Grab Hire?

Grab hire uses a large lorry fitted with a hydraulic arm (or “grabber") to collect and remove waste materials. It’s particularly effective for removing:

Large volumes of soil and hardcore
Inaccessible waste (e.g. behind walls or fences)
Heavy materials unsuitable for standard skips

It’s a popular choice across Southampton, Portsmouth and surrounding areas for groundwork, landscaping and site clearance jobs.

What Materials Can Be Collected?

Grab lorries are designed to handle inert waste and aggregates, including:

Soil and Earth (both clean and mixed)
Rubble and Hardcore
Concrete and Bricks
Tarmac and Asphalt
Sand and Gravel
Recycled Aggregates

These materials are commonly produced on construction, landscaping or groundworks jobs. Grab lorries can carry between 12 and 16 tonnes of waste in one go, depending on the material.

What Can't a Grab Lorry Take?

Grab lorries cannot collect hazardous or mixed domestic waste. The following are not permitted: