Concrete from a construction project can be a challenge to get rid of. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 600 million tons of construction and demolition debris were generated in the U.S. in 2018. Furthermore, the EPA estimates these materials make up roughly 50% of a landfill. Concrete and demolition materials decrease air space since the materials don’t conform to each other in a landfill. They also lead to higher disposal costs.
If your next project includes getting rid of concrete, learn how to dispose of it properly and how to find options for recycling concrete near you.
How to Recycle Concrete
Concrete disposal isn’t as easy as throwing a banana peel into the trash can. It takes some planning, and the materials require extra care.
First, you will want to break up the concrete. Breaking it down will make it easier to dispose of. A sledgehammer should be able to break down concrete for most home remodeling projects. You will need to wear protective gear for your eyes and ears, thick pants, and a long-sleeved shirt to protect your skin during this process.
Then, you will need something to haul the concrete away in. While a pickup truck can do the job, you risk damaging the truck bed. Concrete is hefty, and overloading the truck could lead to busting the springs, damaging the shocks, or even destroying the engine.
After loading the truck, you then need to find a concrete dumpster near you. Not every company will accept concrete so be sure to check with your roll-off dumpster provider. You should expect to pay about $20 per ton at most landfills. Remember you’re carrying the load there, so you’re also paying for gas along with the disposal fees. Some landfills may also charge a “gate” fee to enter the landfill.
One way to minimize these costs is to use a dumpster rental company for your concrete disposal. With redbox+ Dumpsters, our 30-yard containers work best for construction or home renovation projects. Wood, plaster, carpet, and flooring all can go in these dumpsters. Check with your local redbox+ Dumpsters to see if they allow concrete. The best part is you don’t have to worry about hauling it off to the concrete recycler. We take care of that for you. Plus, if you fill the dumpster up before finishing the project, we will take the dumpster, unload it, and return it within the same day.
Benefits of Recycling Concrete
Recycling concrete will help extend the life of our landfills by decreasing the amount of debris put in them. Once broken down into smaller pieces, recycled concrete is refined through a filtration process. Nearby Engineers, a design firm, says this recycled material is used for pavement, asphalt, building foundations, new concrete, utility trenches, erosion barriers, and reef habitats.
Like many valued resources in our world, new resources for concrete are decreasing. Therefore, there is a high demand for quality concrete aggregates, which come from recycled concrete. Nearly all states find a way to recycle concrete. Another benefit of finding a place to recycle concrete is reducing the costs of disposal fees, primarily when utilizing a dumpster rental.
The fewer trips you make, the less you are paying for gas. Places that accept recycling concrete near you include: building material supply companies, landscape and concrete suppliers, junk removal companies, and other specialty businesses that advertise online. Another way you can reuse the concrete is for other home improvement projects.
Let redbox+ Dumpsters Help You
Whether you are performing a DIY home renovation project or a contractor needing a dumpster for a project, redbox+ Dumpsters is ready. We are a reliable roll-off dumpster service that will work with your schedule and empty the dumpster as often as you need during the rental period.
We offer elite dumpsters that come equipped with a portable restroom, which can be a big money saver on the job site. So don’t waste that money while your employees search for an alternative facility to go to the bathroom; upgrade to a redbox+ Dumpsters’ Elite dumpster.
Let us help you with your construction dumpster rental needs, so you can spend time finding ways to recycle concrete near you. Contact us today to get started.