How to Dispose of Concrete

Can You Throw Away Concrete?

Concrete is classified as construction and demolition waste and cannot be thrown away with household garbage. 

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste, which represents about 30% of all waste in the US, is kept separate from other types of municipal solid waste because it can be diverted out of the waste stream and reused. 

How to Dispose of Concrete Properly

Concrete has been used by humans for thousands of years, and it’s currently the most widely used building material in the world. 

Because it's used so extensively, concrete is also one of the biggest sources of construction and demolition waste. In the United States alone, it makes up about 85% of all construction and demolition debris, or approximately 600 million tons each year. Given its volume and weight, concrete can’t be thrown out like regular waste. It needs to be disposed of or recycled through the proper channels.

1. Concrete Dumpster Rental

If you’ve just finished a renovation or demo and are wondering how to get rid of concrete, here are five ways to do it, depending on the amount of concrete and your location.

These dumpsters are built to handle dense material like concrete, asphalt, brick, and block, and they come with higher weight limits than standard construction dumpsters.

Sourgum offers dedicated concrete dumpster rentals with flat-rate pricing, so you know the full cost upfront. As long as the material is clean and free of trash or contaminants, it can be taken to a recycling facility instead of a landfill.

2. Online Listing

Online marketplaces like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Freecycle are great places to post your unwanted concrete. Many contractors and DIYers look at these listings to find reusable concrete debris. 

To increase your chances, include the approximate volume, type (e.g. clean chunks, reinforced slabs), and whether you can help with loading. You can also check the “wanted” sections as local listings often include people actively seeking fill material or crushed concrete.

3. Place It on Curb

You can also simply place concrete out on the curb with a “free” sign next to it. This can work for small amounts that are easy to move and don’t take up too much space.

Before placing the concrete on the sidewalk, please check with your homeowner's association or local municipality and make sure you are allowed to put items on the sidewalk for pickup.

4. Hire Junk Removal Specialists

Hiring a junk removal service is a good way to get it off your hands without having to do the heavy lifting yourself.

To schedule a junk removal service for concrete, simply call them and schedule a pickup window. They will send their team, give you an estimated cost upon arrival, and start clearing out the debris. 

Junk removal companies typically charge by weight or by how much space the concrete takes up in the truck, so it might make sense for smaller or mid-sized amounts.

5. Haul It Yourself

This method will work if you already know where to dump concrete, whether that’s a landfill, a transfer station, or a dedicated recycling facility that accepts construction debris. Before heading out, though, it's worth knowing how to dispose of concrete chunks the right way. 

You should break the material down into manageable sizes and keep it clean, as most facilities won’t accept contaminated or mixed loads. Also, make sure to always call ahead to confirm that the site takes concrete and is open to the public.

Disposing of Large Quantities of Concrete

We work with businesses that deal with heavy waste every day. Our roll-off dumpsters can handle concrete and come in sizes up to 40 yards, depending on what the job calls for.

Schedule a dumpster rental today.

How Much Does Concrete Disposal Cost?

Concrete disposal costs vary based on the amount of debris and the disposal method you choose. For example, junk removal services often have a pricing system based on how much you can fit in their trucks, especially for heavy construction debris like concrete. 

They usually allow you to stack your materials only around 1 to 1.5 feet high in the truck bed, which is about 80 square feet in size. With this option, you can remove up to 2 tons of debris, and it will cost you around $600.

Another option is renting a 10-yard dumpster, which is typically much more affordable.  These dumpsters can hold up to 10 tons of concrete and usually cost around $550 on average. To put that into perspective, a standard two-car driveway (about 16 by 40 feet) can weigh roughly 8 tons, meaning a single dumpster is often enough for a full driveway removal. 

All in all, if you have a large amount of concrete or asphalt to dispose of, a dumpster rental is likely your best bet.

Concrete Recycling Options

When concrete structures like driveways, sidewalks, or foundations are torn out, all that heavy debris doesn’t have to go to waste. Instead of dumping it into a landfill, the concrete can be crushed, screened, and reused in a variety of construction and landscaping applications. Here are a few ways you can recycle or reuse concrete:

Concrete Recycling Centers

Large recycling centers accept clean concrete waste year-round. These facilities crush and screen the material to create aggregate that can be reused in construction. Search online for C&D recycling centers, landscape suppliers, and building supply companies in your area.

Onsite Crushing

For bigger construction or demolition jobs, mobile crushing equipment can be brought directly to the site. The concrete is processed on location and reused as a base layer, backfill, or subgrade for the same project. This reduces hauling costs and limits the need for new materials.

Reuse in Landscaping Projects

You can repurpose used concrete chunks or blocks into your landscaping, such as turning them into a fire pit, creating a stepping stone path with smaller pieces, or utilizing the chunks for landscape edging.