Everything you need to know about recycling concrete
FIND A RECYCLER
Learn more about recycling concrete at work
How to recycle concrete
A number of industrial recyclers accept concrete tipping or provide on-site bins for concrete waste collection. Use the directory on this page to find a recycling service near you.
For information on green building design and construction, download the Housing Industry Association’s GreenSmart® guidance booklet – a professional and technical guide to designing and building a green home and selecting sustainable products.
Why recycle?
By recycling concrete, landfill space is conserved, gravel mining minimised and the carbon footprint of manufacturing new concrete significantly reduced.
Concrete is the most widely used construction material in urban development. As concrete-based infrastructure is replaced with new structures, an enormous amount of building waste is produced. Recycling concrete reduces the need for gravel mining and greenhouse gases associated with the manufacture of new concrete. Economic savings are also made through avoidance of landfill fees, which are becoming increasingly prevalent and costly.
Recycling one tonne of concrete:
- Reduces 20 kilograms of greenhouse gases (CO2e).
- Prevents around 19 wheelie bins of concrete from going to landfill.
Source: Data for timber pallets/packaging (Commercial & Industrial and Construction & Demolition recycling only) contained in Table 4 (p.14) Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2010)?Environmental Benefits of Recycling, DECCW, Sydney South.
What happens to it?
The process of recycling concrete requires an initial breakdown of material using a primary jaw crusher, with further reduction carried out by cone crushers. The material is then screened and where required blended to produce a range of recycled products. These recycled materials are used in pavement construction, concrete production and various civil construction works.
Recycling other construction waste
Asbestos
Asbestos is toxic and should always be handled by a licensed professional.?If you are unsure about the presence of asbestos on a site for renovation, construction, or demolition, organise a licensed professional to inspect the site and safely manage the disposal of any asbestos?found.
Bricks
Unwanted bricks can be reused or crushed and recycled, minimising mining and quarrying activities and diverting waste materials from costly landfill.
Plasterboard
Uncontaminated plasterboard is completely recyclable and should not be put into landfill. It should be recycled for use in new plasterboard or the gypsum used in agricultural soil conditioners. This can reduce landfill and waste management costs and help protect natural resources.
Particleboard
Within Australia hundreds of thousands of tonnes of wood waste, which could be recycled, make their way to landfills each year. Particleboard can be recycled to make new particleboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much construction waste is recycled?
According to the 2022 National Waste Report, of the large amounts of waste generated from the construction and demolition sector, around 78% is recycled or repurposed (based on 2020-21 figures). For example, aggregates from recovered construction materials can be used in road base. Other materials recovered from construction and demolition waste include metals, soil, timber, garden organics, plastics and glass.
How to reduce construction waste
Construction and demolition waste can be reduced by purchasing materials that will create less waste at the outset, including those with less packaging and materials that are pre-cut or prefabricated.
It’s also important to reuse construction and demolition materials wherever possible, either on-site or off-site. If reuse is not possible, be sure to recycle everything you can (including checking that any waste companies you use will sort and recycle any discarded materials).
Any construction and demolition waste that cannot be reused or recycled must be disposed of responsibly – this is especially important as some materials may be hazardous. Your local council will be able to provide you with more information on safe disposal of construction and demolition waste.
Where does construction waste go?
Many states have laws in place to ensure construction waste is taken to an appropriate facility for safe disposal. This is especially important as some construction and demolition materials can be hazardous. If you’re unsure what to do, contact your local council for more information.
Much of the construction waste that is taken to recovery facilities can be reused and recycled. For example, concrete, bricks and rubble can be used in road base. According to the 2022 National Waste Report, approximately 78% of construction and demolition waste is recovered, with the remainder being sent to landfills or incinerated.
If you have construction and demolition waste to dispose of, be sure to check with your council for local reuse or recycling solutions and/or search for recyclers near you using the search bar on this page.
How does construction waste affect the environment?
Building materials require large amounts of natural resources and energy to produce, which highlights the huge importance of reusing and recycling as much construction and demolition waste as possible, to ensure these valuable resources are not wasted.
If construction and demolition materials end up in landfills, they may contaminate the soil and pollute waterways, creating negative impacts for plants, animals and human health.
How much construction waste goes to landfills?
The construction and demolition sector recovers a large portion of its waste through reuse and recycling. According to the 2022 National Waste Report, 78% of construction and demolition waste is recovered in Australia, with the remainder being sent to landfills or incinerated. In 2020-21, approximately 6,410 kilo tonnes of construction and demolition waste were sent to landfills.
How much waste does the construction industry produce?
According to the 2022 National Waste Report, Australia’s construction and demolition industry generated 29 million tonnes of waste during 2020-21 – that's 38% of all waste produced during that period (including waste from households, council operations, businesses and industry). Approximately 78% of construction and demolition waste was recovered through reuse and recycling, with the remainder being sent to landfills or incinerated.
With increased rates of development, the amount of waste generated from the construction and demolition sector will continue to rise, highlighting the need to manage these materials more responsibly and sustainably.
What are the most common waste materials used in construction?
Much of the waste produced by the construction and demolition sector includes concrete, bricks and rubble – the recycling rate of these materials is 82% (based on 2018-19 figures, according to the 2020 National Waste Report).
Other waste materials generated by this sector include rocks, soil, vegetation, plasterboard, timber, metals and hazardous materials such as asbestos contaminated soil.
