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Concrete Waste Disposal: A How-To Guide

You've got old and spare concrete — we give you the disposal options to fit your situation.

PLACEHOLDER

A Simple Guide for What to Do With Old Concrete

Concrete is an essential component in most buildings. From cinderblock basements to slabs that form foundations or patios, most homes contain at least 50 cubic yards of concrete. But what do you do with all of that material if it needs to be removed? Whether you’re a contractor demolishing a house or removing a driveway, there are lots of options available for both concrete disposal and recycling if you know where to look.

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Important Safety Reminder

An important part of concrete disposal is knowing the weight of what you’re trying to get rid of. Use our concrete weight calculator to get an estimate of how heavy your debris will be.

 

5 Concrete Disposal Options

a pile of broken concrete.

1. Sell It

Depending on the type of concrete you have, there are a few resale options available. The easiest type of concrete to resell is unused mix. If you have unopened bags, consider reaching out to bulk supply stores and other construction resale stores to sell them.

The market for other styles of concrete, such as block, chunk and slab, varies. Blocks are the easiest to sell if they are in good, uncracked condition. The same applies for slab. However, the size of the slab may make it hard to sell. As a result, your best bet may be to crush the concrete blocks, chunks and slabs into rubble and sell that to construction resale stores and landscaping companies, instead.

Stacks of bagged concrete mix.
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Pro Tip

Don’t discount the power of online listings when it comes to concrete. Plenty of wholesale buyers are searching on Craigslist and other online marketplaces looking for a good deal on construction materials.

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3. Reuse and Repurpose Materials

If you’re looking for a way to keep your concrete and use it, you need to think a bit outside the box. The good news is there are plenty of options regardless of the type of concrete you’re dealing with. Select a tab below for suggestions and tips on how to reuse and repurpose the concrete type.

stacks of concrete blocks.

If still in good shape, blocks can be reused in any project where concrete blocks are necessary. However, if they are cracked or chipped, consider breaking them down into rubble that can be used in a wide variety of ways.

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a pile of old concrete at a concrete recycling facility.

4. Find a Recycler

It’s not uncommon for local recycling facilities to take concrete, particularly when it comes in bulk. However, one key thing to keep in mind is that most recyclers will only accept clean concrete — meaning concrete that does not have any rebar. The good news? Taking the time to separate your concrete from rebar can result in even more savings if you opt to recycle the scrap metal, as well.

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Recycling Tip

Work with a sustainably-focused waste removal company to maximize your waste diversion efforts. Your account manager will find the recycling centers for you nationwide and help you decide if on-site or off-site sorting is the best way for you to handle your concrete. With us, you can increase your waste diversion rates and hit your sustainability goals.

5. Rent a Dumpster

Whether you continually need dumpsters while working with a high volume of concrete from a commercial building demo or just a couple of cans for handling patio removal at a residential home, renting a concrete dumpster makes disposal simple.

Our expert knowledge will work for you to ensure you have the proper boxes with weight limits to safely transport your concrete to the landfill. Plus, our nationwide coverage ensures you have new cans and swap-out service wherever and whenever you need it. Not to mention, our relationships with recycling centers and material recovery facilities throughout the country will help you hit your sustainability goals.

a dumpster full of old concrete.

Order a Dumpster Online

Shopping after hours? Too busy to make another call? Book the dumpster you need, when you need it. Order your dumpster online 24/7.

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Getting Rid of More Than Concrete?

Choose a construction material for detailed disposal options.

Dirt Dirt Tile Tile Pallets Pallets
Carpet Carpet Scrap Metal Scrap Metal Lumber Lumber
Shingles Shingles Insulation Insulation Paint Paint

Concrete Disposal FAQs

Can you recycle concrete?

What can you do with broken concrete?

What can I do with leftover wet concrete?

Additional Disposal and Recycling Resources

Looking for some other tips on how to handle concrete and construction debris? Check out the advice in some of our blog posts and resources.