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How to Recycle Concrete
Check local acceptanceOften a tip fee that still beats mixed landfill rates (regional; commonly in a low tens-of-dollars-per-ton range). Clean RCA may sell for a few dollars per ton. Rebar scrap is separate revenue at the plant.Last reviewed July 31, 2026
Quick answer
Clean concrete is crushed into recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) for road base, fill, and some paving mixes. Keep gypsum, trash, and dirt out. Magnets pull rebar for scrap. Haul to a concrete recycler or C&D yard, not curbside. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Typical value
- Often a tip fee that still beats mixed landfill rates (regional; commonly in a low tens-of-dollars-per-ton range). Clean RCA may sell for a few dollars per ton. Rebar scrap is separate revenue at the plant.
- Donate / take-back
- Available
Cured concrete from sidewalks, foundations, driveways, and demolition. EPA estimated about 405 million tons of C&D concrete generated in 2018, the largest C&D stream. Most next use is aggregate; clean loads grade higher than mixed rubble.
Where to Recycle
- Construction and demolition (C&D) recycling yards
- Concrete recyclers and mobile crushers
- Quarries and aggregate suppliers that take clean rubble
- Landscape-supply yards selling crushed concrete
- Municipal transfer stations with C&D sorting
How to Prepare
- 1Haul only cured concrete. Fresh pours are not recyclable scrap.
- 2Pull loose rebar, mesh, and trash when you can. Magnets at the plant catch what you miss.
- 3Keep drywall, plaster, wood, plastic, and asphalt roofing out of the pile. Gypsum sulfates weaken RCA.
- 4Break oversized slabs into pieces the yard can handle (often under about 2 feet).
- 5Brush off loose dirt and vegetation before loading.
- 6Call ahead if the concrete is painted, oily, or from a pre-1980 structure that may need asbestos screening.
Special Instructions
Do not mix concrete with drywall or plaster. Sulfate contamination from gypsum can ruin recycled aggregate quality. Pre-1970s concrete may contain asbestos coatings. Test before cutting or crushing older material. Silica dust from cutting and crushing needs respiratory protection. RCA for road base and fill is common; structural new-concrete specs often limit how much RCA you can add.
Environmental Impact
EPA 2018: about 405 million tons of C&D concrete generated; about 334 million tons went to next use (mostly aggregate, roughly 301 million tons) and about 71 million tons to landfill. Crushing into RCA cuts virgin aggregate demand. Rebar is recovered magnetically as scrap steel. Long diesel hauls erode the gain from recycling.
Sustainable Alternatives
- On-site crushing for road base or fill when the job allows it
- Riprap or erosion control from large clean chunks
- Landscape use of crushed concrete as drainage fill
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
What’s Accepted
Accepted
- Sidewalk, driveway, and foundation concrete
- Concrete block (CMU) and clean precast pieces
- Reinforced concrete (rebar is pulled at the plant)
- Clean demolition rubble without gypsum or trash
Not Accepted
- Concrete mixed with drywall, plaster, or gypsum
- Asbestos-containing concrete or coatings
- Oil-stained or chemically contaminated concrete
- Fresh or uncured concrete
- Loads mixed with wood, plastic, or asphalt roofing
Donation & Take‑Back Options
Estimated value: Often a tip fee that still beats mixed landfill rates (regional; commonly in a low tens-of-dollars-per-ton range). Clean RCA may sell for a few dollars per ton. Rebar scrap is separate revenue at the plant.
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
Hazardous Components
- Crystalline silica dust from cutting and crushing
- Possible asbestos in older concrete and coatings
- Alkali dust that irritates skin and eyes
FAQs
Is recycling cheaper than landfilling concrete?
Often yes. Clean concrete tip fees at a crusher or C&D yard are usually lower than mixed landfill rates, and you avoid paying for dirt and trash in the same load. Call for current prices before you haul.
What happens to the rebar?
Crushers use magnets (and sometimes hand sorting) to pull steel reinforcement. The steel goes to a scrap yard. You do not need to cut every bar out yourself, but cleaner loads move faster and cost less. Rebar does not make concrete unrecyclable.
Why can't I mix drywall with concrete?
Gypsum from drywall and plaster adds sulfates that weaken recycled concrete aggregate and can cause problems in new mixes. Keep sheetrock in its own pile or it goes to landfill.
Can I put concrete in a curbside bin?
No. Concrete is a C&D material. Haul it to a concrete recycler, aggregate yard, or transfer station that accepts clean rubble.
Is US concrete recycling 95 percent?
No. EPA 2018 next-use for C&D concrete was high (about 334 of 405 million tons, mostly as aggregate), but next use is not the same as a consumer recycling-rate claim. Grades for road base and fill differ from structural mix specs.
Is recycled concrete as good as virgin aggregate?
For road base and fill, properly graded RCA is widely used. Specs for structural new concrete are tighter and often limit how much RCA you can add. Ask the plant what grades they sell.
Related recycling guides
- How to recycle Construction and Demolition Debris
- How to recycle Drywall
- How to recycle Pressure-Treated Wood
- How to recycle Wood/Lumber
- How to recycle Ceramic Tile
- How to recycle Asphalt Shingles
- How to recycle PIR Insulation
- How to recycle Metal Roofing
- How to recycle Insulation
- How to recycle Installation
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