Why Concrete and Brick Are Different From Other Junk
Concrete, brick, stone, and masonry are the heaviest materials in residential demolition. A single cubic yard of concrete weighs approximately 4,000 lbs — that’s two tons. This extreme weight changes everything about disposal: pricing, transport, and where you can take it.
You can’t put concrete in your trash bin. Most dumpster rentals have strict weight limits that concrete blows through instantly. And junk removal pricing for heavy materials is weight-based, not volume-based.
Concrete Disposal Options in Denver
1. Transfer Stations (You Haul — $30-$80 Per Load)
If you have a truck or trailer, you can take concrete and brick directly to:
- Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site — 5500 Quebec St, Denver
- Tower Road Transfer Station — 9900 Tower Rd, Commerce City
- Republic Services facilities — Multiple metro locations
Fees are based on weight — expect $30-$80 per pickup truck load. Warning: Don’t overload your truck. A half-bed of concrete can easily exceed your truck’s payload capacity and cause mechanical damage or a traffic hazard.
2. Concrete Recycling Facilities (You Haul — Often Cheaper)
Concrete recyclers crush old concrete into gravel for road base and new construction. This is often the cheapest option:
- Aggregate Industries — Multiple Front Range locations
- Recycled Materials Co. — Accepts clean concrete, asphalt, brick
- Brannan Sand and Gravel — Accepts concrete drop-offs
"Clean" concrete (no rebar, no trash mixed in) is cheapest to recycle — sometimes free. Concrete with rebar costs more because of the separation process.
3. Dumpster Rental ($300-$600 + Weight Overage)
You can rent a dumpster for concrete, but be careful:
- Most dumpster rentals include 2-4 tons in the base price
- Concrete hits weight limits FAST — a 10-yard dumpster half-full of concrete can weigh 8+ tons
- Weight overage fees: $50-$100 per additional ton
- Some companies rent “concrete-only” dumpsters at different rates
- Ask about weight limits BEFORE filling — this is where people get surprised with $800+ bills
Pro tip: Request a 10-yard "heavy debris" dumpster specifically. These have higher weight limits than standard dumpsters and lower per-ton rates.
4. Professional Junk Removal (Weight-Based Pricing)
For smaller amounts of concrete and brick (a patio tear-out, a few hundred lbs of broken sidewalk), junk removal is the most convenient option:
- Small amount (few hundred lbs): $149-$249
- Medium amount (half ton): $249-$399
- Large amount (1+ ton): $399-$699+
We handle the lifting (which with concrete is significant), loading, transport, and disposal at a recycling facility.
Call (303) 324-6014 or book online with details about the amount and we’ll give you an exact price.
Common Denver Projects That Generate Concrete/Brick Debris
- Patio demolition — Removing a concrete patio to install pavers or expand lawn space. A 200 sq ft patio (4 inches thick) generates ~2.5 cubic yards / 10,000 lbs of concrete.
- Sidewalk replacement — Denver requires homeowners to maintain sidewalks adjacent to their property. Broken sections need removal before replacement.
- Driveway removal — Concrete driveways generate massive amounts of debris. This is typically a dumpster or contractor job.
- Foundation work — Basement waterproofing, foundation repair, or egress window installation generates concrete waste.
- Brick mailbox or planter removal — Smaller jobs well-suited for junk removal
- Retaining wall demolition — Block and stone walls
- Old fire pit removal — Concrete block fire pits are common in Denver backyards
What About Rebar?
Concrete reinforced with rebar (steel bars) adds complexity:
- Rebar must be cut with a reciprocating saw or angle grinder before the concrete can be moved
- Recycling facilities accept concrete with rebar but may charge more for separation
- The steel rebar itself has scrap value
Items Often Mixed With Concrete That Need Separate Disposal
- Dirt and soil — Clean fill dirt is accepted at many locations for free. Contaminated soil requires special handling.
- Asphalt — Can be recycled alongside concrete at most facilities
- Tile and porcelain — Usually accepted with concrete loads
- Wood (forms, posts) — Must be separated from concrete loads at most facilities
How to Reduce Concrete Disposal Costs
- Break it smaller — Smaller chunks are easier to handle and transport. A sledgehammer does the job for thin concrete (4 inches or less).
- Separate clean concrete from mixed debris — Clean concrete recycles cheaper than contaminated loads
- Post it free on Craigslist — Broken concrete (“urbanite”) is used in landscaping for retaining walls and garden borders. Some people will come pick it up for free.
- Ask your contractor — If you’re hiring a contractor for the new work, negotiate debris removal into their bid. They often have dump accounts with lower per-ton rates.
Need Concrete or Brick Removed?
Call (303) 324-6014 or book online. Tell us the approximate amount (a photo helps), and we’ll give you a fair weight-based price. Same-day service available across the Denver metro.
