Disposal of concrete materials is a big concern. It is not biodegradable and could harm people. Learn how dispose of concrete properly!
Concrete is a material commonly used for construction such as buildings, roads, and drainage.
It is made from a mixture of sand, water, and cement which is stirred with a certain composition to produce a solid material.
When you use concrete to build, you will find the leftover that may no longer be useful.
What could you do with it?
Removing concrete is a daunting task. You need effort or even special equipment to do it.
If you don’t, it could make an environmental problem or even you can be punished for violating environmental law.
So, what should you do?
Don’t worry!
I will show you how to dispose of concrete without making any mess!
Why do you need to dispose of concrete properly?
1. It could harm the environment
Concrete contains cement and other materials that can pollute the environment.
When concrete is dumped carelessly, the metals and chemicals can leach into the soil and water.
This can contaminate nearby streams, rivers, and lakes with toxic chemicals that are harmful to fish, wildlife, and people who consume fish from those bodies of water.
It also emits methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
2. It is not biodegradable materials
Concrete is not biodegradable. It means it does not break down by itself. This solid form will remain in the environment for hundreds of years.
Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand, and gravel. It is made by mixing these three ingredients together and then pouring them into a mold.
This creates a hard shell that can be used for building homes and other structures.
If you don’t dispose of it properly, you could make it fill the land.
How to dispose of concrete
1. Take it to the local dump
If you have concrete left over from a project, you can dispose of it by taking it to the local dump.
Most local dumps have drop-off locations for concrete. The landfill will be able to recycle the material, which can help them reduce waste and emissions.
It is best to check your local regulations before disposing of the concrete.
Some areas allow taking concrete to landfills.
There are also regions that make rules that concrete must be disposed of in a special place.
In a certain country, there are areas that prohibit the littering of concrete.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), concrete is a non-hazardous material and can be disposed of in a landfill or recycled.
2. Contact the local concrete contractor
If you have a huge amount of concrete, you could be able to get rid of it by contacting a concrete contractor in your area.
They have the equipment, manpower, and experience to dispose of your concrete quickly and in an environmentally friendly manner.
This will cost money, but it’s worth it because you don’t have to worry about getting hurt or having to clean up after yourself.
The best part is that they can usually come to pick up the concrete and haul it away without any additional charges.
If you have no idea to dispose of concrete, contact the local waste authority. They will provide you with the safest way based on your condition to get rid of it.
Most governments have free pick up program to dispose of concrete. They also will give you several options to get rid of it without disturbing the surrounding area..
You can also contact your local environmental office to help you get rid of this concrete in an environmentally friendly way.
4. Call dumpster rental
A dumpster rental is a good way to get rid of concrete.
They will come with their trucks and the whole equipment and dump the materials in a safe place.
They will take the concrete wasted directly to a landfill or another concrete disposal facility and dispose of it properly.
They will handle everything for you.
5. Hire a concrete disposal service.
If you don’t want to deal with concrete waste, hire a company that specializes in concrete removal.
You can find these companies online. It is easy to find this service on social media such as local Facebook groups.
They will provide you with an estimate of how much it will cost them to take away your old concrete.
6. Sell it
There are some companies who are looking for concrete waste and give a good price on it.
These companies buy old concrete from people who want to get rid of it and use it as raw material for new projects.
They’ll pay you cash or give you store credit at their store.
You can also sell the concrete to a supplier who will use it for building projects.
Some companies specialize in buying used concrete and recycling it into new products.
These companies can be found through online searches or through trade associations in your area.
7. Contact the local waste disposal company
If you have a large amount of concrete to dispose of, you can contact the local waste disposal company.
They have a vehicle and the necessary equipment to crush the concrete and properly dispose of it. This service is typically inexpensive and quick, especially if you have a large amount of concrete to dispose of.
They will handle everything for you so you don’t have to worry about anything.
8. Give it away
Giving the concrete away is a good option to dispose of it properly.
If you have friends or family members who own construction businesses, they may be able to use your leftover concrete for their next project.
Some people will use concrete to make paths and other landscaping features in their yards.
9. Ask your concrete supplier
You can get rid of concrete by contacting your supplier.
They may provide a particular service in which they come and collect concrete that has been left over from jobs or projects so that it can be reused or sold as waste.
Some concrete businesses will remove the trash for free, while others will demand a fee. The cost varies depending on the region and the size of the job.
10. Reuse it
One way to dispose of concrete is to use it in another project.
This could be as simple as adding new concrete to existing concrete or pouring a new slab for another structure.
You can do this by by crushing it into smaller pieces so that it can be used as aggregate in new concrete mixes
Or, you can reuse it for another project such as filling in holes or low spots in your yard. You can make it as a path for your driveway, patio, or walkway.
You can use it as a base for your flower beds.
You can use it to fill in holes on your property where you want to plant flowers, shrubs, or trees.
What you should not do to dispose of concrete?
1. Do not bury it
Never bury the concrete to dispose of it. It is a non-biodegradable material so it won’t break down in the soil.
It will remain there forever and cause pollution problems in the future.
If someone digs in your yard and comes across the concrete, they could be injured by sharp edges or breakthrough into an underground pipe or oil tank.
2. Never throw it away carelessly
Disposing of concrete is a daunting task. However, never throw it away carelessly to get rid of it.
The concrete could be a hazard to children and pets who might come across it. It can also be an eye sore if left in your yard without proper disposal.
It also will cause pollution problems because the concrete can be washed away by rain or carried away by the wind.
FAQ
Can I bury old concrete?
No, do not bury old concrete. It can release harmful chemicals into the soil and damage the environment, especially water.
Is concrete environmentally friendly?
No, concrete is not environmentally friendly. It is made of cement, which takes a long time to break down and is an unsustainable material.
Conclusion
Concrete is ubiquitous material that is used in the construction of all kinds. It’s a blessing and a curse. You get it when you need it but disposing of it can be challenging.
Below I have outlined the tips to dispose of concrete:
- Take it to the local dump
- Contact the local concrete contractor
- Call the local waste authority
- Call dumpster rental
- Hire a concrete disposal service.
- Sell it
- Contact the local waste disposal company
- Give it away
- Ask your concrete supplier
- Reuse it
Read my other tips to dispose of dead squirrel, matches, and unused disposable lighters properly!
