Removing and disposing of concrete can be a challenging part of any project. It’s heavy and bulky, and often, there’s a lot of it. Many of our customers wonder about the best way to remove old or used concrete. This article dives into concrete waste, the different types, and the proper ways to dispose of old concrete.
What is Concrete Waste?
Concrete waste is debris from construction, demolition, or renovation work. It can include excess fresh concrete left over from projects, dust, debris, and broken fragments from job sites.
There are two types of concrete waste: mixed and clean. Mixed concrete waste contains materials such as steel or rebar, whereas clean concrete waste does not contain contaminants.
How to Get Rid of Concrete
Whether it’s clean or mixed waste, concrete is not biodegradable. Although concrete will degrade over time, it never entirely breaks down. The good news is that clean concrete waste can be recycled, saving valuable space inside landfills. Whether you have old concrete chunks or blocks to get rid of, it is important to know your options: recycling or disposal.
Concrete Recycling
Not only does concrete recycling reduce the amount of debris sent to the landfill, but it also reduces the need—and energy required—to produce new concrete. There are several ways to recycle concrete. Learn the processes below.
Construction and Demolition Recycling Facility
Construction and demolition (C&D) facilities are equipped to accept uncontaminated waste like concrete accumulated from construction, remodeling, repair, roadwork, and land clearing. Once the material is received, it is sorted, processed, and recycled. It can then be resold as a different product, such as aggregate for new concrete or foundation for driveways.
Many C&D recycling facilities accept used concrete delivered by general contractors, landscapers, property managers, and even homeowners. Some facilities may require a professional waste handler to safely transport the concrete.
To locate a C&D facility near you, use the Find a Recycler Directory provided by the Construction & Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA).
Mobile Concrete Recycling Service
Many construction and demolition contractors opt for a recycling service that comes directly to their job site. This can be more cost-effective than hauling and disposing of the waste at a facility.
Instead, a mobile service comes to the project location. It crushes the concrete on-site and repurposes it into a new sub-base or drainage rock. Some mobile concrete recycling services can even help sell your recycled aggregate to landscape or concrete suppliers if you cannot reuse it yourself.
Donate Concrete
Although less common, consider donating your extra concrete. You may find that local nonprofits or community groups could use it for their projects. Donate rubble to be used as retaining walls or sidewalks, blocks and pavers for steps or patios, and chunks to be milled into gravel. If you have any leftover concrete mix, your donation could be used to set fences or lamp posts.
Concrete Disposal
Sometimes, you’re not always able to recycle concrete, especially mixed waste concrete. Below are a few options for disposal instead.
Roll-off Dumpster Rental
Rent a heavy-duty roll-off dumpster. When you’re ready, simply load your concrete and have the dumpster company haul it away. At Oaks Dumpster Rental, we recommend a 15-yard dumpster for your project. These can hold roughly 4.5 pickup truck loads of concrete debris. We will deliver your rental to your location and pick it up at a time that is convenient for you.
Local Landfill
If you’re able and willing, you may find it easiest to haul your used concrete yourself. Load it into a pickup truck or the back of a van, drop it off at your local landfill, and call it a day. Before you go, call ahead to make sure your local facility is open and accepts concrete.
Junk Removal Service
Don’t want to load the concrete yourself? Hire a junk removal service. They’ll arrive at your location to do the heavy lifting for you. After they load your debris, they’ll haul it away, too. Keep in mind, though, that many junk removal companies don’t offer a price until the movers arrive and assess how much debris you have.
Oaks Dumpster Rental: Quality You Can Trust
At Oaks Dumpster Rental, we offer 15-yard dumpsters for clean concrete and other hard fill. You can contact us, and our team will help find a solution that works for you.