Concrete & Heavy Debris Dumpster Rental: What You Need to Know

Concrete, brick, stone, and other masonry materials are some of the heaviest things you can put in a dumpster. Before you start loading, here's what you need to know about costs, weight limits, and the best approach for heavy material disposal.

Can You Put Concrete in a Dumpster?

Yes — but with important caveats:

• Small amounts (under 500 lbs) mixed with other debris: No problem
• Moderate amounts (500-2,000 lbs): Accepted, but remember it's $0.20/lb
• Large amounts (full dumpster of concrete): Call us first — a 15-yard dumpster of pure concrete can weigh 30,000+ lbs

How Heavy Is Concrete?

Concrete weighs approximately 150 pounds per cubic foot. Here's what that means for your dumpster:

| Amount | Approximate Weight | Cost at $0.20/lb |

|--------|-------------------|-------------------|

| 10 concrete blocks | 200-400 lbs | $40-80 |

| Small patio demolition | 1,000-2,000 lbs | $200-400 |

| Driveway section | 3,000-5,000 lbs | $600-1,000 |

| Foundation section | 5,000-10,000 lbs | $1,000-2,000 |

Other Heavy Debris Materials

Brick

• Weight: ~5 lbs per brick, ~120 lbs per cubic foot
• Can go in the dumpster mixed with other debris

Natural Stone

• Weight: 100-175 lbs per cubic foot depending on type
• Flagstone, bluestone, granite, etc.

Asphalt

• Weight: ~140 lbs per cubic foot
• Old driveway asphalt is accepted

Soil and Dirt

• Weight: 100-130 lbs per cubic foot
• Very heavy — discuss with us before loading

Ceramic Tile

• Weight: Much lighter than concrete
• No restrictions — load freely

Best Approach for Heavy Material Projects

Option 1: Mixed Load Dumpster

If you're doing a renovation with some concrete or masonry mixed with lighter materials (drywall, wood, etc.), a standard dumpster rental works fine. The concrete adds weight, but the overall load is manageable.

Best for: Bathroom renovations with tile removal, small patio demo alongside a renovation, fence post removal

Option 2: Dedicated Heavy Material Dumpster

For projects that are primarily concrete, brick, or stone, we recommend:

• Use our smallest dumpster (15-yard, $350) — you'll fill it by weight before you fill it by volume
• Don't mix with other debris — some facilities offer better rates for clean concrete loads
• Call us first — we can advise on the most cost-effective approach

Best for: Driveway removal, foundation demolition, retaining wall removal, large patio demo

Option 3: Concrete Recycling

For large amounts of clean concrete (no rebar, no other materials mixed in), concrete recycling may be cheaper than dumpster disposal. Many facilities accept clean concrete for crushing into road base material. We can point you to local concrete recycling options.

Cost Estimates for Heavy Debris Projects

| Project | Dumpster Size | Debris Weight | Estimated Total |

|---------|-------------|---------------|-----------------|

| Bathroom tile removal | 15-yard ($350) | 500-1,000 lbs | $450-550 |

| Small patio demo | 15-yard ($350) | 1,500-3,000 lbs | $650-950 |

| Retaining wall removal | 15-yard ($350) | 2,000-5,000 lbs | $750-1,350 |

| Driveway section removal | 15-yard ($350) | 5,000-10,000 lbs | $1,350-2,350 |

Tips for Loading Heavy Materials

• Distribute weight evenly — don't pile concrete on one side
• Load heavy items first — place them on the bottom layer
• Don't fill to the top — heavy materials don't need height to reach weight limits
• Break up large pieces — use a sledgehammer to make pieces manageable
• Leave room for the truck — overweight dumpsters are harder to transport safely

Serving Middlesex County

We handle heavy debris projects throughout Billerica, Lowell, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Wilmington, Burlington, Bedford, Carlisle, Dracut, Westford, Andover, Woburn, and Lexington.

Call (978) 375-2272 to discuss your heavy material project. We'll help you figure out the most cost-effective approach.