How to Get Rid of Broken Concrete: Removal and Recycling
Quick Answer
Concrete removal and disposal in Oregon costs $200 to $2,000+ depending on the volume, thickness, and whether the concrete contains rebar. A small load of broken concrete (a few hundred pounds) runs $200 to $400. A full driveway or patio demolition runs $1,000 to $2,000+. The good news: concrete is one of the most recyclable construction materials, and many Oregon facilities accept clean concrete for free or at reduced rates.
You tore out the old patio. The driveway is crumbling. The sidewalk cracked and the city wants it replaced. Now you have a pile of broken concrete and no idea what to do with it. You cannot put it in the trash. It is too heavy for your car. And it is sitting in your yard looking terrible.
Concrete disposal is one of those problems that is simpler than it seems once you know your options. Oregon has good recycling infrastructure for concrete, and in many cases, it is cheaper to recycle than to landfill. Here is the complete guide.
Concrete Removal Cost
| Scenario | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Small pile (under 500 lbs) | $200 - $400 |
| Medium pile (500-2,000 lbs) | $400 - $800 |
| Large pile (1-3 tons) | $800 - $1,500 |
| Full driveway demolition and removal | $1,500 - $3,000+ |
| Full patio demolition and removal | $1,000 - $2,500 |
| Sidewalk demolition and removal | $500 - $1,500 |
These prices include loading, hauling, and disposal. If the concrete is already broken up and piled, the cost is lower because no demolition labor is needed.
Why concrete costs more than other junk: Weight. A single cubic foot of concrete weighs about 150 pounds. A 4-inch thick, 10x10 patio slab weighs approximately 2,000 pounds. That weight affects truck capacity, fuel consumption, and disposal fees.
Concrete Recycling in Oregon
Concrete is 100 percent recyclable. Recycled concrete is crushed into aggregate and used for:
- Road base and sub-base material
- Gravel for driveways and parking areas
- Fill material for construction projects
- Drainage material
- Erosion control
Oregon concrete recycling facilities:
Portland metro area: Several concrete recycling facilities operate in the Portland metro. Some accept clean concrete for free because the recycled product has commercial value. Others charge a small per-ton fee ($5 to $15 per ton) that is still far less than landfill tipping fees.
Salem area: Concrete recyclers and transfer stations accept concrete. Fees vary by facility.
Eugene-Springfield: Lane County facilities and private recyclers accept concrete. Clean concrete (no rebar, paint, or contamination) typically gets the best rates.
What "clean concrete" means: Most recyclers want concrete that is free of:
- Rebar and steel reinforcement (or at least loosely attached)
- Paint, coatings, or sealants
- Asphalt mixed in with the concrete
- Soil, wood, or other debris mixed in
- Brick or block mixed in (some facilities accept these, others do not)
If your concrete has rebar, it can still be recycled, but processing costs are higher. Some facilities will accept it at a slightly higher fee. Others require you to remove the rebar first.
DIY Concrete Removal and Disposal
If you are breaking up and hauling concrete yourself, here is what to expect:
Breaking Up Concrete
- Sledgehammer — Works for thin slabs (2 to 3 inches). Exhausting but effective for small areas.
- Electric demolition hammer (jackhammer) — Rental cost of $50 to $100 per day. Essential for slabs over 4 inches thick. Available at Home Depot, Sunbelt, and local equipment rental shops across Oregon.
- Concrete saw — For clean cuts along edges or scoring before breaking. Rental cost of $75 to $125 per day.
Hauling Concrete
You need a vehicle rated for the weight:
- Pickup truck — Can handle 1,000 to 2,000 pounds depending on the truck. Do not exceed your payload rating. Concrete overloads are a common cause of blown tires and suspension damage.
- Utility trailer — A heavy-duty trailer can handle more weight. Ensure your tow vehicle is rated for the load.
- Multiple trips — Budget for several trips. A standard patio produces 1 to 3 tons of concrete, which is 2 to 6 truck loads.
DIY Cost Breakdown
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Jackhammer rental (1 day) | $50 - $100 |
| Disposal / recycling fees | $0 - $50 per ton |
| Gas (multiple trips) | $20 - $60 |
| Your time (full day or weekend) | Priceless (and painful) |
| Total DIY | $70 - $210 + serious labor |
DIY concrete removal saves real money, but it is one of the most physically demanding home projects. A 10x10 patio produces roughly a ton of concrete. You will be breaking, lifting, carrying, and loading a ton of material.
Professional Concrete Removal
A professional crew brings the right equipment and manpower:
- Demolition — Jackhammers, concrete saws, and pry bars break the slab efficiently.
- Rebar cutting — Angle grinders or bolt cutters handle reinforcement steel.
- Loading — Heavy-duty wheelbarrows, skid steers, or hand loading into the truck.
- Hauling — Trucks rated for heavy loads transport concrete to recycling facilities.
- Site cleanup — Grading the area after removal.
Professional removal makes sense when:
- The slab is thick (6+ inches) or heavily reinforced
- The volume exceeds what you can handle in a single truck load
- Access is difficult (tight backyard, no truck access)
- You do not own or want to rent heavy equipment
- You need the job done quickly
What About Concrete with Other Debris?
If your concrete is mixed with other construction materials, costs and disposal change:
Concrete + rebar: Recyclable, but some facilities charge more. The rebar is separated magnetically during crushing.
Concrete + asphalt: Some recyclers accept mixed loads. Others require separation. Call ahead.
Concrete + soil: Most recyclers will not accept concrete contaminated with dirt. This has to go to a transfer station as mixed construction debris at higher tipping fees.
Concrete + drywall or wood: This is mixed construction debris and goes to a transfer station, not a concrete recycler. Tipping fees are significantly higher for mixed loads.
Pro tip: If you have a renovation project generating multiple types of debris, keep concrete separate from other materials. Separate loads cost less to dispose of than mixed loads.
Repurposing Broken Concrete
Before you haul it away, consider whether you can use the broken concrete on your property:
- Retaining walls — Stacked broken concrete pieces (called "urbanite") make functional retaining walls for garden beds.
- Garden borders — Broken concrete pieces work as edging along garden beds and pathways.
- French drain fill — Crushed concrete makes excellent drainage material.
- Stepping stones — Larger flat pieces can be set as stepping stones in garden paths.
- Erosion control — Place pieces along slopes or drainage channels to slow water flow.
Repurposing avoids all hauling and disposal costs. It works best when you have a manageable amount of concrete and a project that can use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put small pieces of concrete in my regular trash? Technically, small pieces can go in your garbage cart, but most waste haulers have weight limits per cart (typically 65 to 75 pounds). A few small concrete pieces will hit that limit quickly. It is not a practical disposal method for more than a few pounds.
How thick is typical residential concrete? Most residential patios and sidewalks are 3.5 to 4 inches thick. Driveways are typically 4 to 6 inches. Footings and foundations are 8 to 12 inches or more. Thicker concrete is harder to break up and heavier to haul.
Is it cheaper to recycle concrete or landfill it? Recycling is almost always cheaper. Concrete recycling facilities charge $0 to $15 per ton. Landfill tipping fees for construction debris run $50 to $120+ per ton in Oregon. The math strongly favors recycling.
Can I use broken concrete as fill on my property? Yes, with caveats. Broken concrete makes good structural fill but should not be used where it will be in contact with soil that grows food. In some jurisdictions, using concrete as fill requires compliance with local grading regulations.
How do I find a concrete recycler near me? Oregon DEQ's materials management page lists recycling facilities by county. You can also search "concrete recycling" plus your city name. Most facilities welcome walk-in drop-offs during business hours.
Get Concrete Removed
At Otesse, we handle concrete removal and hauling across Oregon's I-5 corridor. Whether it is a broken patio, crumbling driveway, or demolition debris from a shed removal, we load it, haul it, and recycle it.
Our junk removal services include construction debris at competitive rates.
Get Your Free Quote or call us at 541-844-2585.
