Disposal Guide
How to Dispose of Concrete in Ottawa
Dealing with leftover concrete after a construction or demolition project can be a pain. Concrete is bulky, heavy, and challenging to move.
Ottawa also has specific legal regulations for disposal of concrete materials.
This concrete disposal guide for Ottawa will walk you through each of the legal ways of disposing of concrete in Ottawa, Ontario.
Rent a Dumpster to Dispose of Concrete
Renting a dumpster is one of the most effective solutions for handling large amounts of concrete waste in Ottawa.
A 10-yard dumpster bin is usually the best option for concrete disposal, giving you enough capacity without taking up too much space on your site.
A dumpster bin removes the need for multiple trips hauling concrete to a disposal facility.
The bin company deals with all of the transport and the disposal.
If you’ve decided to rent a dumpster, talk with the bin company’s customer service and get a recommendation and quote.
Choose a trusted Ottawa bin rental company known for competitive dumpster rental pricing and reliable service. Check their Google reviews.
Renting a dumpster bin is a stress-free way to deal with your leftover concrete waste.
Benefits
- The bin is conveniently delivered and picked up by the rental company, saving you time and effort.
- A 10-yard dumpster provides ample capacity for concrete disposal without taking up too much space at your site.
- The rental company handles all transportation and disposal logistics.
Considerations
- Be aware of weight limits, as concrete is heavy, and exceeding the limit could result in extra fees.
- The dumpster must be loaded evenly and not exceed the fill line to ensure safe transportation.
- Make sure there is enough space at your worksite to accommodate the dumpster without disrupting operations.
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Bring Your Concrete To A Recycling Centre
According to the City of Ottawa, you can’t just put it in the garbage.
Recycling is an eco-friendly way of getting rid of your concrete, and Ottawa has facilities that specialize in recycling construction materials, including concrete.
About 140 million tons of concrete are recycled annually. Recycled concrete can be repurposed for new projects, such as road construction or landscaping projects, keeping it out of landfills.
Before you can recycle concrete, it needs to be cleaned of any soil and stripped of rebar, which can be sold for scrap metal. Read our dirt disposal guide if you have lots of soil that needs removal too.
Once that’s done, research local recycling centers that accept concrete. You will need to deliver the concrete yourself or hire someone to take it for you.
Benefits
- Recycling concrete is an eco-friendly method that reduces waste and supports sustainability.
- Concrete that contains rebar can potentially be sold as scrap metal.
- Recycled concrete can be repurposed for projects like road construction or landscaping.
Considerations
- Concrete must be free of soil and rebar before it can be recycled.
- Transporting the concrete to the recycling center is your responsibility.
- Some recycling centers may have specific guidelines for accepting concrete.
Sell Your Concrete Online
If your concrete is in good condition, selling it online is another option for giving your used concrete new life.
With people looking for affordable building supplies for projects, used concrete can be in demand. It makes a great mulch or gravel replacement for use in gardens.
Before you sell your concrete chunks, clean and sort it into piles of the same size. Next, list your concrete on platforms like Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, or local classifieds.
Use clear descriptions and high-quality photos to get interest, and research recent sales to set a reasonable price.
You can also rent gravel crushers and turn your gravel into a highly usable aggregate.
Decide whether you’ll offer delivery for an additional fee or require buyers to pick up the concrete themselves.
By selling it, you can earn extra money while helping someone else with their project needs.
Benefits
- Used concrete can be in demand for affordable building supplies, garden projects, or as a gravel replacement.
- Selling concrete online can help you earn extra money.
- Offering delivery for an additional fee can attract more buyers and add value to your listing.
Considerations
- The concrete should be cleaned and sorted into uniform sizes before listing to make it more appealing to buyers.
- Renting a gravel crusher to turn your concrete into usable aggregate might add value but requires additional investment.
- Selling online may take time, so consider whether you can store the concrete while waiting for buyers.
Repurpose Concrete For Home Projects
Reusing concrete for your own projects is a great way to use your leftover materials.
You can use it to create garden paths, building retaining walls, or a gravel replacement.
Concrete can also be shaped into unique planters or patios using slabs, giving a unique look to your outdoor space.
Benefits
- Reused concrete can be utilized for functional landscaping features.
- Shaping concrete into planters or patio slabs.
- Repurposing concrete can save money.
Considerations
- Concrete pieces need to be appropriately shaped and sized to fit your specific project needs.
- Some repurposing projects may require additional tools, skills, or materials.
- Storage and organization of the concrete pieces are essential.
Donate Concrete
Donating concrete will also make sure your used concrete finds a new purpose.
Many organizations and community projects can benefit from donated building materials, turning what might be waste into free but valuable resources.
You can donate your concrete to local community gardens, where it can be used for pathways, borders, or raised beds. Nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity may also accept clean, usable concrete for construction projects. Give them a call and see if they’re accepting.
By donating concrete, you’re decluttering your space and supporting meaningful initiatives.
Benefits
- Community gardens and local projects can use donated concrete.
- Donating helps declutter your space while supporting meaningful community initiatives.
- Your donation can make a positive environmental impact.
Considerations
- Concrete must be clean and usable to be accepted by most organizations.
- Some organizations may have specific guidelines or limitations.
- Transporting the donated concrete may require effort and coordination.
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Hire A Junk Removal Company
Hiring a junk removal company is probably the most convenient option as everything gets done for you.
These companies specialize in hauling away construction debris, including concrete, saving you time and effort.
Keep in mind that hiring a junk removal service can be expensive, especially if you have a large amount of concrete to haul.
Additionally, you may not get the exact timeline you want, which can be inconvenient if you need immediate concrete removal.
Find a company that handles concrete disposal and ask for a quote upfront to avoid surprises later on.
Benefits
- Professional services ensure proper disposal, often adhering to local environmental guidelines.
- Eliminates the need for heavy lifting or transporting concrete yourself.
- This option provides a hassle-free solution, allowing you to focus on your project without worrying about debris removal.
Considerations
- Hiring a junk removal service can be costly.
- You may not get the exact timeline you want.
- Not all junk removal companies handle concrete, so ensure you find one that does.
Transport Your Concrete To A Landfill
Hauling your concrete to a landfill is always an option, provided you have a truck bed or trailer up to the job.
If you don’t mind putting in the work on possibly multiple trips to the landfill, it’s definitely an option for getting rid of large amounts of unwanted concrete.
Before taking your concrete to a landfill, check the facility’s regulations and find out what’s required for proper disposal.
Landfills often charge fees for dumping construction waste, so research these costs beforehand so you know what you’re getting into.
Make sure you secure your load properly and use a vehicle capable of handling the weight to prevent safety hazards and avoid getting pulled over.
Benefits
- You have full control over the process.
- Transporting the concrete yourself can be cost-effective compared to hiring a junk removal company.
- Some landfills may offer specific days or discounts for dumping construction materials, potentially lowering costs.
Considerations
- Multiple trips may be required if you have a large quantity of concrete, which can be time-consuming.
- Landfills often charge fees and have regulations for dumping construction waste.
- You need to ensure your load is properly secured and that your vehicle can handle the weight to prevent safety risks.
FAQs
Common Concrete Disposal Questions
Here are a few questions we often get about concrete removal.
What Are The Different Types of Concrete?
This type usually needs special handling to remove the metal before recycling. This type of concrete is common in construction and demolition debris from larger buildings or parking structures. Removing the metal bars can make recycling more complex, but it’s needed to comply with recycling facility requirements.
This type of concrete is used for pathways, patios, and other non-structural, non-weight-bearing applications, making it much more simple for recycling or disposal.
They are manufactured in a controlled environment and can sometimes be repurposed or resold. They can sometimes be reused for construction or landscaping companies without any processing.
By identifying the type of concrete you have, you can determine your best approach, and know what you’ll have to do to comply with local regulations for disposal.
What Are The Steps To Get Rid of Concrete?
Properly disposing of old concrete involves a few steps to stay in compliance with local regulations.
- The first step is to assess what you have. Figure out how much concrete you need to get rid of and what type, where it contains reinforcements like rebar, or if it’s just plain concrete. This should help you choose the best disposal option.
- Once you know what you’re dealing with, choose the disposal option for that type and amount of concrete. What’s most important to you? Convenience, cost, and environmental impact can all be factors.
- When you’ve decided what to do, you’ll need to prepare the concrete for disposal. If you’re recycling or selling the concrete, remove any rebar or metal and clean the concrete of any soil.
- Next, organize the disposal process by renting a dumpster, scheduling a pickup with a recycling facility, or planning a trip to the landfill.
- Finally, make sure you know and understand local waste disposal regulations to avoid legal issues and fines.
Rent a dumpster from CFT Bins
At CFT Bins, we have dumpster bin sizes that are perfect for hauling away old concrete in the Ottawa area. Our team can have a dumpster dropped off at your work site when you need it. Once full, let us know and we’ll pick it up. It’s as simple as that.
Whether you’re a construction or landscaping company, forget multiple trips to the dump and dealing with rebar. Let us take your concrete away and dispose of it legally, stress and hassle-free.
If you’re looking to rent a dumpster bin to get rid of your concrete, reach out to us for a personalized quote.
Serving Ottawa, Gatineau, Pembroke, and surrounding regions.
