Putting in a new driveway or patio often means breaking up the old one made of concrete and asphalt. Once homeowners or contractors finish the project, however, they face the dilemma of what to do with the large pile of broken up concrete. 

Most municipalities do not allow homeowners or businesses to throw concrete in the garbage or recycle bin. However, concrete is recyclable. It is just a matter of finding the right party to take it away.

Common Uses of Recycled Concrete

Americans are more environmentally conscience than ever, and that shows in the effort they put into finding a new home for large amounts of home or construction debris. Recycling companies can turn concrete and asphalt into an aggregate used for these purposes:

  • Aggregate base or sub-base in paved roads and shoulders of roads
  • Filling material for utility trenches
  • Surface material for paved roads
  • Base for building foundations

When people recycle or find an alternative use for old concrete, they can feel good about knowing it serves a new and useful purpose. Below are four ideas for getting rid of unwanted concrete.

Rent a Large Dumpster

Roll-off dumpsters can typically hold the equivalent of a dozen loads from the back of a pickup truck. Many companies rent them, and all home or business owners need to do is call to schedule delivery. The party that rents the dumpster is then responsible for filling it and calling the rental company back to arrange pickup. Depending on the rental company’s policies, the customer may not need to be present when a crew comes to retrieve the dumpster and unload its contents.

Offer the Concrete for Free

What one person doesn’t want another may need. A quick and easy way to get rid of a large amount of broken up concrete is to place an ad in a free directory such as Craigslist. This is a win-win for both parties because the property owner doesn’t need to pay a fee to unload the concrete and the person who needs it just has to show up to claim it. Another take on this idea is to place a FREE sign in the yard for anyone who wants to come by and haul the concrete away.

Check with Local Landscape Companies

Some landscape companies make it a point to work with recycled materials as much as possible. A simple online search of local landscapers should turn up at least a few that would be willing to pick up a pile of old concrete. Some may charge a small fee for this service while others could potentially pay the person wanting to get rid of the concrete. An advantage of offloading the concrete to a landscape company is that it has the trucks and equipment to retrieve the concrete quickly and efficiently.

Hire a Junk Hauling Company

Unlike renting a roll off dumpster where the customer does all the loading, a junk hauling company will load the concrete into a truck and take it away for recycling. Junk haulers typically have several local contacts and know the best place to bring the unwanted material to ensure it stays out of landfills. 

Of all options, working with a junk hauling company is likely the most convenient and environmentally responsible thing to do.