Construction projects generate significant volumes of waste, from timber offcuts and pallets to green waste and demolition materials. As recycling targets tighten and disposal costs rise, many contractors and waste operators are turning to mobile shredding equipment to process materials efficiently on-site or at local facilities.
Mobile waste shredders allow materials to be reduced in size, sorted more easily, and reused or recycled with fewer transport movements. This article looks at five widely used mobile shredders commonly seen across construction, recycling and land clearance projects in the UK.
What is a mobile waste shredder?
A mobile waste shredder is a self-contained machine designed to break down materials such as waste wood, green waste, biomass and mixed construction waste. Unlike static shredders, mobile units can be transported between sites, making them particularly useful for construction and demolition projects where waste is generated in different locations.
Depending on the design, shredders may operate at high speed for lighter materials or slower speeds with higher torque for tougher waste streams. Choosing the right machine depends on the material being processed and the scale of the operation.
Key factors to consider when choosing a shredder
Before investing in or hiring a mobile shredder, construction professionals should consider several practical factors.
- Type of material being processed, such as wood, green waste or mixed demolition waste
- Throughput requirements, especially on larger projects
- Site access and transport, including machine size and weight
- Emissions standards, particularly for urban or regulated sites
- Maintenance and running costs, which vary by machine type
There is no single solution that fits every project, which is why understanding the strengths of different machines is important.
Top 5 mobile waste shredders for construction and recycling
1. Doppstadt AK 315
The Doppstadt AK 315 is a compact high-speed grinder designed for flexible use across smaller sites and recycling yards. It is commonly used for waste wood, green waste and biomass materials.
Its relatively compact footprint makes it suitable for projects with restricted space, while still offering consistent output for light to medium materials. The AK 315 is often chosen where mobility and ease of deployment are priorities.
Best suited for: Smaller construction sites, urban projects, light recycling operations
2. Doppstadt AK 565
The AK 565 sits higher in the Doppstadt AK range and is designed for greater throughput. It is widely used in commercial recycling environments and on larger construction or demolition projects where higher volumes of material need to be processed quickly.
Compared to smaller machines, it offers increased capacity while maintaining the flexibility expected from a mobile unit.
Best suited for: Medium to large construction projects, commercial waste processing
3. Komptech mobile shredders
Komptech machines are commonly seen across UK recycling and waste management operations. Their mobile shredders are known for durability and the ability to handle mixed material streams, including construction waste and timber.
These machines are often selected for their balance of throughput and resilience in demanding environments.
Best suited for: Mixed construction waste, long-term recycling operations
4. Untha mobile shredders
Untha mobile shredders tend to focus on torque-driven performance rather than high-speed grinding. This makes them particularly effective for tougher waste wood, pallets and bulkier materials often found on construction and demolition sites.
Their design prioritises controlled processing and consistent output for more challenging waste streams.
Best suited for: Heavy waste wood, pallets, demanding material conditions
5. Vecoplan mobile shredders
Vecoplan offers industrial-grade mobile shredders used across large-scale recycling and waste processing facilities. These machines are typically deployed where reliability and continuous operation are critical.
While often used in fixed facilities, mobile variants are also utilised on major construction and infrastructure projects.
Best suited for: Large-scale recycling, infrastructure and industrial projects
Choosing the right shredder for your project
Selecting the right mobile shredder depends on the scale of the project, the type of waste produced and how frequently the machine will be used. Smaller construction sites may benefit from compact machines that are easy to transport and deploy, while larger projects often require higher throughput and more robust equipment.
As construction waste continues to be viewed as a resource rather than a disposal problem, mobile shredders are becoming an increasingly important part of modern site operations.