One of the questions I often get as The Mini Digger Guy is:
“When you dig out my garden, what happens to all the waste?”
It’s an important part of planning your project, whether you’re digging for a pond, levelling ground for turf, or preparing for a patio. Here’s a clear guide to what happens to the different types of waste and the options for getting rid of it.
What happens to soil waste when using a mini digger?
If your project produces mainly soil (for example, when I dig out a pond, foundation trench, or landscaping area), often that soil doesn’t need to leave the garden. It can be spread elsewhere to level the ground, fill in dips, or create raised beds.
This is the most cost-effective option because you avoid paying for removal.
What happens to roots, rubble, and stones dug out of a garden?
When I prepare a garden for turfing or landscaping, I often uncover rubble, rocks, bricks, roots, and other “rubbish” that can’t just be reused. These materials usually need to be taken away.
Here are the three most common options:
1. Skip hire for garden waste
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Best for: Medium projects with space for a skip.
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Pros: Everything is contained neatly in one place; easy to fill with a wheelbarrow.
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Cons: Needs a driveway or roadside permit; you have to guess the right size; skips can be in the way if left too long.
2. Grab lorry collection
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Best for: Large garden projects with lots of rubble or soil.
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Pros: Fast and efficient; removes large amounts in one go; no skip left on site.
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Cons: Needs space for the lorry to park and extend its grab arm; waste must be piled somewhere accessible.
3. Hippo bags (or similar)
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Best for: Smaller projects or gardens without space for a skip.
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Pros: Bags are delivered flat and don’t take up space until you need them; flexible collection when you’re ready.
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Cons: Can get expensive if you need several bags; the collection lorry needs access to where the bags are placed.
Which garden waste removal option is cheapest?
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Cheapest overall: Reusing soil in your own garden.
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For small jobs: A Hippo bag is often the most affordable.
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For medium jobs: A skip usually makes sense.
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For large jobs: A grab lorry is the most cost-effective per tonne of waste.
Do I need to arrange waste removal before booking a mini digger?
It’s a good idea to think about waste before I start work. I can always advise on the best option for your specific project, and sometimes we can save you money by reusing what we dig out.
Mini digger and driver hire with waste advice included
I provide mini digger and driver hire across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Cambridgeshire, helping homeowners and landscapers with everything from pond digs and garden clearance to levelling and turf preparation.
When you hire me, you’re not just getting the mini digger and operator – you’re also getting advice on the most efficient and affordable way to handle your garden waste (and advice on all aspects of garden landscaping, driveway construction, etc.).
Common questions I get about garden waste and digger hire
Q: Can you put garden soil in a skip?
Yes – but it fills quickly and gets heavy, so make sure you order a skip big enough.
Q: Is a grab lorry cheaper than a skip?
For larger amounts of waste, yes. Grab lorries can take up to 16 tonnes at once.
Q: Do I need permission for a skip on the road?
Yes, you’ll usually need a permit from your local council if you don’t have space on your property.
Book your mini digger and driver hire in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire & Cambridgeshire
If you’ve got a project coming up, I’ll make the digging easy and help you plan what to do with the waste.
👉 Get in touch via my contact form below to book your mini digger and driver hire today.
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