Some Solid Tips For Recycling Concrete

There are all types of yard waste and debris that can be recycled instead of put in landfills. However, for homeowners, concrete isn't always on the list.

Contractors, on the other hand, are often accustomed to disposing of large amounts of waste concrete and often use commercial crushing and recycling facilities to dispose of it. But not always.

When You Have More Concrete Debris Than You Know What to Do With

Of course, not every residential yard cleanup involves broken up concrete slabs, busted up curbs or concrete steps, or unwanted concrete blocks. 

But sometimes it does.

And it's in those times that homeowners and renters have to find a proper and convenient way to dispose of it all. While small quantities like a few cubic feet might get slipped into a residential trash or recycling bin without notice, this isn't the best solution. 

Nor is hauling it in a wheelbarrow to a nearby empty lot, even if you're lucky enough to have one that close. While concrete debris isn't particularly toxic in a solid form, the jagged surfaces and sometimes rusty metal components like rebar and imbedded fasteners can be hazardous.

One of the other big issues in dealing with waste concrete is its weight.

It's estimated that a cubic yard of broken up concrete weighs over 2,000 pounds, for example. That's the equivalent of a piles of rubble five feet wide and five feet long and a foot high.  So, even if you could get away with putting your concrete waste into your residential trash bin, it's only going to hold up to 175 pounds if it's a large, 90-gallon bin.

And, while that's enough to handle a cubic foot of old concrete, your local waste management company is likely to ban concrete debris from their bins anyway. 

Some property owners who happen to have large lots or even rural property will occasionally bury old concrete rubble. While this might work for someone living on an acre or more of land, for most suburban homes with a 2,500 square foot yard, not so much!

So, what's a better disposal solution for busted up concrete and masonry debris?

Good News for Yard Waste: Concrete Debris Can Be Recycled

Sand, gravel, and cement. 

These essential components are all that make up most concrete products. By themselves they are easy enough to dispose of if one needed to. Put together with the right amount of water and with time to properly cure, the result is practically a form a "man-made" rock.

Concrete is also quite ubiquitous. It is used everywhere for almost everything and in every place.

The great thing about it, however, is that it doesn't have to end up in landfills. Is it recyclable, you ask? Well, according to one source,

"The quick answer is yes - even if it isn't exactly simple, it is possible to use concrete waste to manufacture new structural parts, maintaining concrete's essential qualities of strength and resistance."

In fact, the folks at the Portland Cement Association tell us that concrete is 100% recyclable (and the steel rebar within is recyclable as well).

Here are some quick facts about concrete recycling and why it is such a great - and green - option for your concrete debris disposal:

The best part about concrete waste recycling is that you don't have to take care of loading, hauling, and unloading it yourself.

While you could certainly do so, or get a friend or relative with an old pickup truck to do it for you, there is a far more convenient, efficient, and easier way to have it done for you. And it's affordable, too!

Recycling Concrete Does Not Have to be a Residential DIY Project 

Remember how we explained how heavy concrete is? And if you've already been moving it around your yard or property, you know that it can be a (literal) pain to work with. In addition, it can be dangerous to handle. 

Unlike sand, dirt, and gravel, homeowners and others can't simply shovel concrete rubble into a truck. In fact, the entire loading, removal, and unloading process is labor-intensive and poses a great potential for injury.

So, it pays to have someone like Junk King come and take care of it for you. Not only will we do all the heavy lifting, we'll make sure that it is properly disposed of.

In fact, one of the best things about using a green and professional disposal firm like Junk King is knowing that your waste concrete material will find new life as recycled aggregate while avoiding being place in any landfills.

Recycled concrete aggregate, or RCA, as it is known in the construction industry, is typically used as construction base and sub-base material, granular fill, or even as aggregate for new concrete pavement.

In fact, RCA can be used for many purposes including:

• Aggregate base, aggregate sub-base, and shoulders in paved roads
• Surfacing in gravel roads
• Base for building foundations
• Fill for utility trenches

Almost all cement concrete and asphalt concrete materials are made up primarily of aggregate and the cement and asphalt that serve as binders.

By recycling old concrete, the extraction of raw materials needed for new concrete products can be reduced and additional products and materials can be created.

Call Junk King for the Best in Yard Waste and Concrete Debris Removal

Junk King provides efficient, safe and eco-friendly yard waste and debris removal services so you don’t need to worry about the pick up and disposal of the debris once your project is complete.

Whether you need our services several times during a cleanup or renovation project, or just once after you're done, our hauling professionals will make sure that all your yard and building debris is out of your way so that you can get on with your life!

Our team specializes in yard debris and concrete waste removal.

We can often be at your location in the same day and our crew is fully insured and well-trained, so you can trust them to get rid of your yard and construction material debris in a professional and courteous fashion.

Our professional and insured hauling team will come to your site. and we'll call 15 to 30 minutes before we arrive. Once we show up we’ll give you a free estimate based on how much room your waste concrete material and other yard debris will take up in our truck.

So, ready for some efficient and affordable concrete and yard waste removal?

We'll load your yard waste - including any concrete debris - into our large junk removal trucks and haul it away for you. And all without any hidden fees!

Make an appointment simply by booking online above or call us at 1-888-888-JUNK (5865).