

What Can You Load into a Grab Lorry?
Home renovation, construction sites and garden clearances produce huge waste that must be disposed of properly. As a waste removal solution, Grab lorry presents an efficient solution, and with grab hire services, waste collection becomes even more streamlined without needing permits or container placement. featuring specialised vehicles that can collect materials directly from your property without requiring permits or dedicated space for container placement. The mechanical machine uses an extending hydraulic grab arm that extends across fences, walls, and obstacles to collect waste from restricted locations that would otherwise be difficult to access. These are multi-purpose vehicles suitable for carrying different types of waste and can reach inaccessible areas easily.
However, it is necessary to learn what can go in a grab lorry before booking a waste collection service.
This guide will inform you about the permitted items to load into a grab lorry and what the restrictions are.
How Grab Lorries Work and Their Capabilities
Grab lorries are the next big thing in collecting your waste, and they come with hydraulic arms capable of loading and lifting your materials directly off your premises. These vehicles do not require permits or parking spaces. The mechanical grab system extends up to 8 meters and lifts materials over obstacles like garden walls or fencing.
The grab lorries have a capacity of 16 to 20 tonnes of waste, which is perfect for medium to large-scale waste removal. The loading capacity depends on the weight and type of materials being collected. Heavy materials such as concrete or soil will be near the weight limit, whereas the lighter materials, such as garden waste, can fill the complete volume.
Construction and Demolition Waste: The Complete Permitted Materials List
The construction sites generate different kinds of waste, which can be effectively removed by muck away services using grab lorries.. The grab arm makes it much faster to clear sites compared to loading everything by hand. Grab lorry services excel at collecting mixed construction debris, saving contractors time and money on multiple collection trips.
You can load these permitted waste materials in:
- Concrete blocks and broken concrete pieces
- Bricks and rubble from old buildings
- Ceramic material and tiles
- Leftover plasterboard, remnants of plasterboard
- Timber and wooden construction materials
- Metal structure and steel parts
- Roofing materials such as tiles and slats
Generally, the grab lorry waste guide includes weight limits of heavy materials such as concrete and bricks. Such materials are bulky and might need several trips for collection. Whereas mixing heavy and light materials makes better use of the space.
Garden and Landscaping Waste Collection in a Grab Lorry
Organic waste produced during garden clearances can be collected using grab lorries. You can also explore landscaping waste tips to make garden cleanups more effective. The mechanical arm is capable of reaching beyond fences over garden boundaries, making collection possible even in highly packed residential areas.
Logs and tree branches, lawn cuttings, hedge clippings, prunings, plant stuff, fallen leaves, and shrub waste from the bulk of garden collections. Removal of roof soil, old turf, and composted materials is also commonly collected. Hence, the grab lorry restricts treated timber, painted wood, or plants treated with chemicals that might contaminate organic waste streams.
Seasonal variations affect garden waste density; spring and autumn generate high volumes when major pruning and cleanup activities are done. We can double the weight of organic materials, potentially reducing the volume that fits in a single collection.
Household Items and General Waste: What Gets Collected
House clearances and home renovations generate differences that grab lorries handle easily. The mechanical collection system is very effective, specifically for heavy items, which would normally need to be handled manually and in a series of trips. For best practices, check out our household waste removal tips.
You can throw furniture waste such as wardrobes, tables, chairs, and bed frames. Soft furnishings such as sofas, mattresses, and carpeting can be readily collected. Though the grab lorry allowed materials list for household waste is extensive, some materials require special handling or cannot be mixed with other waste types. White goods, electronic appliances and kitchen devices can also be collected separately to comply with recycling regulations.
Regular domestic garbage, trash boxes, cardboard boxes, as well as daily trash, add up to most of the trash. Worn-out flooring, such as laminate, hardwood and vinyl floors, is usually gathered during renovation. Bathroom fixtures, tiles, and sanitary ware are also permitted in waste collections. Hence, these household items can be collected in a grab lorry.
Prohibited Materials and Safety Restrictions in a Grab Lorry
If you are hiring a grab lorry, you must be aware of what the prohibited waste is to avoid putting any in the lorry. Understanding prohibited waste helps to avoid delay in services and extra costs, as well as maintain the safety of the workers and the environment. Grab lorry operators very strictly enforce these rules in line with legal and safety requirements.
Materials which are completely prohibited are:
- Asbestos and asbestos-containing materials
- Solvents, paint tins and chemical containers
- Electrical parts, batteries, and electronic waste
- Clinical materials, pharmaceuticals and medical waste
- Fuel containers, oils and liquid waste
- Radioactive substances and harmful substances
- Pressurised containers and gas cylinders
Such prohibitions are due to the necessity of special disposal facilities and handling procedures. In case prohibited waste is found, collectors will refuse to collect, which may cost extra callout fees and delay.
Conclusion
Grab lorries are your cost-effective way to get rid of all kinds of waste off your property. Such vehicles can cover all kinds of building rubble and garden waste, which makes them ideal for various cleanup tasks. And being aware of what can be loaded in a grab lorry can make you plan your work in a better way and avoid any collection problems. When you need quality grab lorry services, GW Grab Services has skilled grab truck operators who reach restricted areas and know precisely what can go into a grab lorry. By doing it for you, the team simplifies waste removal, leaving you less to stress about over your project.
FAQs
Can I mix different materials in a grab lorry?
Yes, any permitted waste can be mixed in a grab lorry. Most grab lorry services accept mixed loads containing construction materials, garden waste, and household items. But you cannot mix prohibited waste with regular materials.
What is the capacity of a grab lorry?
An average grab lorry can carry between 16 and 20 cubic meters of waste, but the actual amount depends on weight. Heavy materials such as concrete and soil reach the heavy limit quicker than light mixtures such as garden waste.
What happens if I put prohibited waste in the collection?
In case the operator finds prohibited waste during collection, the operator might halt the service. You might also have to pay the callout fee. So, always check the permitted waste list before booking to avoid extra costs.