How much does a cubic yard of concrete weigh?

Normal-weight concrete weighs about 150 pounds per cubic foot, or roughly 4,000 pounds (two tons) per cubic yard.

Can I put concrete in a regular dumpster?

Usually only in a small container, often filled partway. A large container full of concrete would be far too heavy to haul.

Is a clean load of concrete cheaper?

Often yes. Clean concrete, brick and asphalt can be recycled, and many providers price clean loads differently from mixed debris.

Do I need to call 811 before removing a patio?

If you will dig, yes. 811 arranges for underground utility lines to be marked before excavation.

Concrete & Dirt Disposal: Weight Limits and Recycling

Why heavy debris is different

Most dumpster loads hit the volume limit first. Concrete, brick, asphalt, dirt and rock hit the weight limit first – long before the container looks full. Normal-weight concrete weighs roughly 150 pounds per cubic foot, or about 4,000 pounds (two tons) per cubic yard. Soil and rock also weigh well over a ton per cubic yard, and wet soil more.

A 20 yard container filled with concrete would weigh far more than any truck can legally carry. That is why providers put heavy debris in small containers and often tell you to fill them only partway.

How much debris is it?

To estimate concrete volume, multiply length × width × thickness (all in feet) and divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Broken concrete takes up more space than solid concrete because of the gaps between pieces.

Patio, 12 × 12 feet, 4 inches thick: 12 × 12 × 0.33 = 48 cubic feet, or about 1.8 cubic yards of solid concrete – roughly 3.5 tons.
Walkway, 3 × 30 feet, 4 inches thick: 30 cubic feet, or about 1.1 cubic yards – roughly 2.2 tons.
Single-car driveway, 10 × 40 feet, 4 inches thick: about 133 cubic feet, or about 4.9 cubic yards – roughly 10 tons. That is several hauls.

These are rough estimates for planning. Thicker slabs, rebar and base gravel add weight.

Clean loads versus mixed loads

Many providers distinguish between:

Clean loads – only one material, such as only concrete, only brick or only clean soil, with no trash, wood or other debris mixed in.
Mixed loads – heavy material combined with other debris.

Clean concrete, asphalt and brick can often be recycled, for example into crushed aggregate, and clean fill dirt can be reused. Recycling facilities typically charge less for clean loads than landfills charge for mixed debris, so providers often offer a lower price or a different weight rule for a clean load. A few pieces of trash can turn a clean load into a mixed one – ask exactly what counts as clean.

How much gets recycled nationally

The U.S. EPA estimated that 600 million tons of construction and demolition debris were generated in the United States in 2018 – more than twice the amount of municipal solid waste. Of that, just over 455 million tons went to “next use” such as recycling and reuse, and just under 145 million tons went to landfills. Concrete is one of the largest components of C&D debris, and one of the most recyclable.

Container sizes for heavy debris

Small containers (often 10 yards or less): the usual choice for concrete, brick, asphalt, rock and soil.
Fill line: the provider may mark or tell you how full to load it – for concrete sometimes only a third or half.
Several hauls: for driveways, large patios and foundation work, plan for swaps.
Never mix heavy debris into a large container meant for light debris; it can make the container too heavy to lift.

Special cases

Pool decks and pools: pool demolition produces large amounts of concrete, gunite and tile. It usually needs a permit, and often several small-container hauls.
Pavers: concrete and clay pavers are heavy but often reusable. Stack them on pallets for reuse or sale before you think about disposal.
Asphalt driveways: clean asphalt is commonly recycled; keep it separate from concrete if your provider or recycler asks for it.
Stucco and plaster: heavy and dusty, and often mixed with wire lath. Ask whether it counts as a clean load – usually it does not.
Foundations and footings: these often contain rebar and are very thick. Leave foundation removal to a contractor with the right equipment.
Landscaping soil and sod: sod is heavy because of the soil attached to it. Clean soil without roots and debris is easier to reuse or recycle.

Things to check before you dig or break

Call 811 before digging. The free national call-before-you-dig number arranges for underground utility lines to be marked. It is required in many states before excavation.
Permits: removing a driveway approach, sidewalk or curb cut usually involves the city, because it touches the public right-of-way.
Old materials: some older materials, such as certain old siding, pipe insulation and some floor tiles, can contain asbestos. Do not break up suspect material without testing.
Contaminated soil: soil soaked with oil, fuel or chemicals is not clean fill and must not go in a regular container. Ask a professional.

Loading heavy debris safely

Wear gloves, boots, eye protection and a dust mask when breaking concrete; wet it down to reduce silica dust.
Break slabs into pieces you can lift safely; use a wheelbarrow and a ramp.
Spread the load evenly across the container floor.
Keep boards under the container to protect the driveway. See how to protect your driveway.

What it costs

Heavy-debris pricing works differently from regular dumpster pricing. Instead of paying mainly for volume, you pay mainly for weight and for the type of facility the load goes to. Ask for:

the flat price for the container, including a stated weight;
the charge per ton above that weight;
whether a clean load is priced differently, and what disqualifies a load;
the price for an extra haul, if the job needs more than one.

Local disposal fees vary widely. As one published example, Orange County, Florida, lists $36.70 per ton for construction and demolition debris at its landfill; recycling yards for clean concrete are often cheaper than landfills. Your provider’s price already includes their disposal cost.

Alternatives

Recycling yards for concrete and asphalt, if you have a truck and trailer.
Reuse: broken concrete (“urbanite”) can be reused for garden paths and retaining walls; clean fill dirt is often wanted by neighbors or landscapers.
Your contractor: for driveway or patio replacement, removal and disposal are often included in the price.

Questions to ask the provider

Do you offer clean-load pricing for concrete, brick or dirt?
How full can I load the container with my material?
What is included in the price, and what does an extra ton cost?
Can rebar or wire mesh stay in the concrete?

How our service fits in

Local Dumpster Network is a free referral service. When you call, you are connected with an independent, local dumpster provider that serves your ZIP code. Tell them the material and the approximate size of the area, and they will recommend the container and load limit.

Concrete and dirt disposal: weight limits and recycling