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How to Recycle Brick
Check local acceptanceReusable matched brick can sell by the piece or thousand. Broken brick is usually a tip fee similar to clean concrete, sometimes with a small credit for clean masonry.Last reviewed July 31, 2026
Quick answer
Whole clean bricks are reused through salvage yards and Habitat ReStore. Broken brick is crushed for fill and landscaping at many C&D recyclers. Nationally, landfill is still the primary destination for C&D brick. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Typical value
- Reusable matched brick can sell by the piece or thousand. Broken brick is usually a tip fee similar to clean concrete, sometimes with a small credit for clean masonry.
- Donate / take-back
- Available
Clay brick from demolition, renovation, and leftover pallets. EPA estimated about 12.3 million tons of C&D brick and clay tile in 2018, with landfill primary and only a small aggregate next-use share. Intact brick has the best reuse value when deconstructed carefully.
Where to Recycle
- Architectural salvage yards
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore
- Masonry suppliers and brick reclaimers
- C&D and concrete recyclers for crushed brick
- Landscape suppliers selling crushed brick fines
How to Prepare
- 1Sort whole bricks from broken rubble.
- 2Chip off loose mortar when a salvage buyer wants clean face brick. Perfect clean is not always required.
- 3Keep wood, drywall, and trash out of brick piles.
- 4Check older painted brick for lead before grinding or aggressive cleaning.
- 5Stack reusable bricks on pallets for salvage or ReStore donation.
- 6Haul broken brick to a C&D or concrete recycler that accepts masonry.
Special Instructions
Salvage value depends on brick type, color match, and how much mortar remains. Hard modern mortar often makes cleaning uneconomic, so crush becomes the fallback. Historic soft brick can be fragile. Do not assume every concrete recycler takes clay brick. Call with a photo. Painted pre-1978 brick may carry lead paint dust when cut or crushed.
Environmental Impact
EPA 2018: about 12.3 million tons generated; about 10.8 million tons landfilled and about 1.5 million tons next use as aggregate. Reusing whole brick avoids firing new clay units. Crushing broken masonry offsets some virgin stone demand when markets accept it.
Sustainable Alternatives
- Reuse on site for paths, edging, and garden walls
- Donate matched lots to Habitat ReStore
- Sell historic brick through salvage dealers
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
What’s Accepted
Accepted
- Whole clay bricks suitable for reuse
- Broken brick and masonry rubble for crushing
- Leftover new brick still on pallets
- Pavers in reusable condition
Not Accepted
- Brick mixed with trash, wood, or drywall
- Asbestos-containing masonry coatings without abatement
- Loads of dirt with only scattered brick fragments (often rejected or billed as fill dirt)
- Bottle-glass streams
Donation & Take‑Back Options
Estimated value: Reusable matched brick can sell by the piece or thousand. Broken brick is usually a tip fee similar to clean concrete, sometimes with a small credit for clean masonry.
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
Hazardous Components
- Lead paint on older painted brick
- Silica dust when cutting or crushing
- Possible asbestos in older mastics and coatings
FAQs
Do I have to remove all the mortar?
For reuse, more mortar removal means a better sale, but many buyers accept bricks with residual mortar if faces are intact. For crushing, mortar usually rides along with the rubble.
Is brick usually recycled in the US?
Not at national scale. EPA 2018 shows landfill as the primary destination. Deconstruction for whole-brick reuse and local crushing are the practical diversion paths when available.
Can broken brick go with concrete?
Many crushers accept mixed clean masonry (brick, block, concrete). Some want them separate. Ask before you combine piles.
Is crushed brick useful?
As fill, path material, and sometimes road base when graded. It is not a substitute for structural concrete aggregate unless the plant certifies it for that use.
What about concrete block?
CMU usually follows the concrete recycling path more than the clay-brick reuse path. Whole decorative block may still sell for salvage.
Recycle brick
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