How To Dispose of Concrete?

blocks of concrete

Did you know that according to the EPA, 85% of construction and demolition waste in 2018 was concrete? Because of those high volumes, it’s important to know how to dispose of concrete safely and in an environmentally conscious way. Just dumping it should never be an option.

Concrete disposal is frequently necessary because it’s common for a contractor or a DIY homeowner to have leftover concrete after a project is finished. Sometimes old, worn concrete has to be replaced, and the renovation of an outdoor space such as a patio is likely to generate a lot of concrete waste as well.

Following are several concrete disposal options, including a roll-off dumpster rental in Orlando, and we’ll explain why that’s often the best choice for bigger projects.

Reuse the Concrete

The first option might be the simplest and cheapest: instead of disposing of your excess concrete, find a use for it. Now you’ll be saving yourself trips, expenses, or both, and you can add more form and function to your property at the same time.

What are some uses for extra concrete? There are a lot! 

Concrete rubble, which usually consists of large, irregularly shaped pieces, is good as building stones in walls and as slabs for patios and walkways. With concrete blocks, you can build retaining walls and structural walls. Chunks of concrete can be converted to use for roads and parking lots; making your own fire pit is another possibility. And if you have leftover concrete mix, you can use it for the foundation of a home, pouring a driveway, or setting posts.

Haul It to a Landfill

With a pickup truck, SUV, or maybe even a smaller vehicle with a hatchback, hauling your concrete waste may be an option. It can be a good one because landfill fees are typically low or nonexistent and you can do the hauling on your own schedule.

The landfill option does have some downsides. One is that if you have a bigger job to clean up, multiple trips might be required. That’s a hassle in and of itself, and it gets worse if the landfill is a long drive away. You also have to set aside the time for the trip(s). And of course, if you don’t have a suitable vehicle, the landfill option is out.

An alternative to a landfill is a transfer station. This is a facility where collection crews drop off municipal solid waste.

Hire a Junk Removal Service

For the concrete disposal option that probably requires the least amount of effort, you can hire a junk removal service. These professionals will come out to your home or worksite, assess what needs removal, present a quote, and, if you agree to the quote, haul it away for you. 

Since the cost is usually based on volume, the more debris to remove, the higher the cost. For bigger jobs, this can add up quickly. Another thing to consider is that you’ll have to be present when the removers arrive to do the job.

Seek Out a Building Supplies Retailer or a Landscaper

Building supplies retailers will sometimes accept unused concrete. The catch is that you’ll probably have to deliver it to them. Still, though, it’s a convenient, low-cost way to dispose of your extra concrete.

Landscaping companies use a great deal of concrete for driveways, walkways, patios, walls, and more. Contacting a landscaper who might be able to repurpose unused or good-condition concrete can be a good option, then. So can contacting a company that supplies landscaping materials. For example, they might be able to crush the concrete for use on roads and driveways. 

Donate It

Sometimes the simplest way to get rid of something is to just give it away. Since concrete isn’t cheap, contractors, local businesses, and even nonprofits and community organizations will often be happy to take extra concrete off your hands. You can also check if people in local neighborhoods could use it by posting on social media groups. An added bonus of donating your extra concrete is that those who want it will come get it from you.

Selling your unused concrete to any of those entities can be an option as well, and no one ever complained about having some extra cash. However, selling it makes it more likely that the buyer will expect delivery or will at the very least want to meet you halfway, and transporting concrete is one of the toughest parts of getting rid of it.

Rent a Roll-Off Dumpster

For larger projects such as construction, renovations, and cleanups, we think a roll-off dumpster is the best option. A roll-off dumpster is a rectangular, open-topped bin that makes it easy for people to deposit their concrete waste and other debris. These dumpsters are delivered to a site by a truck using a hydraulic bed, and the companies providing the dumpsters take care of all the delivery, pickup, and disposal for you. 

A roll-off dumpster is a safe, affordable, and convenient way to dispose of extra, unwanted or unusable concrete. Different sizes are available, and costs vary based on the size and length of the rental.

 

Rent a Roll-Off Dumpster from RGH Waste & Disposal

For a dumpster rental in Orlando, RGH Waste & Disposal is the premier service available. We offer same-day or next-day drop-off and pickup, competitive prices and no hidden fees, and 24/7 availability.

To make the choice easier, we offer two different sizes of dumpsters: 20-yard dumpsters and 30-yard dumpsters. These refer to their capacity in cubic yards. Here’s a quick way to gauge the size you need: a 20-yard dumpster holds the equivalent of about 10 pickup truck loads, and a 30-yard dumpster holds 15. Either way, we’ve got the right size for your job.

Once you’re ready for your rental dumpster, we’ll deliver it to your home, you’ll tell us when you want it picked up, and then you fill it at your own pace. It’s easy and convenient, and then we take it all away for disposal or recycling, leaving your site clean again.

Contact us for a quote today!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lisa Flemister

Lisa is the General Manager of RGH Waste and Disposal LLC. After many years of working in waste management, Lisa has ‘seen it all’ and then some! She knows the 'ins' and 'outs' of waste disposal and has a wealth of experience from years of working with first-time dumpster renters to seasoned commercial clients.