How To Get Rid of Concrete

Concrete is one of the most commonly used construction materials in the world. It’s a simple mix of cement, water, and sand or crushed stone that hardens into a strong, durable product used in everything from sidewalks to skyscrapers. Homeowners most often encounter concrete around the exterior of their home, whether it’s part of a patio, sidewalk or staircase.

Concrete demolition is tough, physical work, but disposing of it isn’t always simple either. Last summer, I removed a cracked concrete patio to make way for a new paver patio, and one of the biggest challenges and costs of the project was getting rid of the old concrete.

Ahead, learn why proper concrete disposal matters and how to handle it in your area, with advice from demolition pros Scott Rumplik of GBS Dumpster Rentals and Louis Fiore, a retired demo and trash expert.

Why Proper Concrete Disposal is Important

The biggest issue with concrete disposal is the sheer volume it can occupy in landfills. Concrete is large and heavy. If everyone were allowed to simply throw it away, it would quickly take up an inordinate amount of space in already overburdened landfills. Unlike wood, concrete doesn’t break down over time and its weight adds further strain on disposal systems.

In addition to its volume, improper disposal can pose health risks. “Concrete contains lots of dangerous ingredients, like lime and silica,” Fiore says, “It’s very corrosive and dangerous to breathe.” While most of the risk occurs during the mixing stage when cement dust becomes airborne, hardened concrete isn’t entirely risk-free. If it’s cut or crushed, those dangers can resurface.

Local Laws & Regulations on Concrete Disposal

State and local laws will vary, but concrete is typically not permitted at municipal landfills and must be disposed of in dedicated concrete recycling and disposal centers. Check with your local public works or transfer station for local concrete disposal options.

No federal laws govern clean concrete disposal, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers cured concrete a “non-hazardous solid waste”. However, concrete contaminated with lead paint, asbestos or chemicals is considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of according to EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Contact your state’s environmental agency for more information.

How To Dispose of Concrete Safely

Choose the best option for your budget, ability and project size.

Recycling center

Haul clean, unpainted concrete to a local concrete recycling center. “You usually pay by the ton,” Fiore says, and there will often be a size limit per piece (2×2-ft. maximum for example). Recycling centers crush the concrete into “gravel that’s used as underlayment for roads, or they might mix it with asphalt as a binder for paving,” Fiore says. This is the preferred method as it gives broken concrete another useful purpose rather than just taking up space in a landfill. “They will also take out any rebar or metal and recycle that too,” Rumplik says.

Use a dumpster service

Rent a dumpster that is Construction and Demolition (C&D) approved. Fill the dumpster with clean concrete and the company will remove it from your property and dispose of it for a fee. Check with the company to confirm that concrete is acceptable ahead of time.

Bring to a C&D landfill

States with large populations and urban areas may have dedicated C&D landfills due to high construction and demolition activity. These landfills will often accept mixed demolition products in the same load, like concrete, glass, lumber and roof shingles. Contact your local solid waste department and ask about local C&D landfills, or do an online search.

Re-use on your property

“It’s a lot of work to haul concrete,” Fiore says, so consider reusing it right in your own yard. Use larger, flat pieces as stepping stones or place them close together to create a walkway. Stack flat pieces to build a decorative wall or garden edge.

For new concrete projects, crush old concrete into gravel with a sledgehammer and reuse it as a hardpack base. Always wear a dust mask when cutting, breaking or crushing concrete to protect against dust. Also, wear protective gloves and use water to keep the dust down.

How To Find Where to Dispose of Concrete Near Me

To dispose of concrete nearby, start by checking your state or local environmental agency’s website for permitted C&D landfills or recycling centers. You can also call local landfills, transfer stations or public works departments to ask about accepting concrete. An online search for ‘concrete recycliing near me’ should also produce local results.

About the Experts

• Scott Rumplik is the owner of GBS Dumpster Rentals in Hampden, Massachusetts, a family-owned business since 2001.
• Louis Fiore is a retired demo and trash professional in Springfield, Massachusetts with over thirty years of industry experience.

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