The research aims to explore the influences of lithology on the compaction behaviours of broken waste rocks. For this purpose, a WAW1000D servo test machine and a self-made bidirectional loading test system for granular materials were used to conduct axial and lateral compaction tests on four typical types of broken waste rocks: sandstone, mudstone, limestone, and shale. On this basis, we analysed the relationships between lateral and axial stress with the strain in, and porosity of, the four types of broken waste rocks. In addition, the relationship of axial stress with lateral stress and lateral pressure coefficient, and the changes in the particle size distribution of broken waste rocks before, and after, compaction were discussed. The test results demonstrated that the samples of higher strength were found to have low lateral and axial strains as well as a lower porosity in axial and lateral loading tests; while samples of lower strength showed low lateral stress and lateral pressure coefficient under axial load. After being compacted, the samples of the four types of broken waste rocks were found to have a higher proportion of small particles, indicating some particle crushing. Moreover, the samples of lower strength were broken to a greater extent.