Anyone who works with concrete knows that it’s a labor-intensive process from start to finish. Mixing, pouring, leveling, and disposing of the waste takes a lot of time and effort. Disposal, in particular, can be a handful to deal with. hile dumping is the most common disposal method, concrete recycling is a viable alternative with multiple benefits.
Concrete Recycling Southern California
Our Service Areas
We accept concrete for recycling at our following locations: Sun Valley, Rialto, Escondido, and Beaumont.
Proper Disposal of Concrete: Recycling or Dumping?
Cumbersome and heavy, concrete isn’t easy to dispose of. With recycling and dumping as your options, you may be wondering which is best for you. Dumping is more popular, but it takes up substantial space in landfills, thanks to its bulky nature. On top of that, if the pH level is too high, it’s considered corrosive, so some landfills may not take it. If the landfill agrees to take it, there are also dumping fees you’ll need to pay. By comparison, recycling is a much more environmentally friendly option, on top of potentially being more cost-effective. Recycling and dumping are both viable options for a construction business, though, so choose what makes the most sense for your company. Just be sure to follow the proper handling and disposing procedures based on where you intend for your concrete waste to end up.
Why Recycle Concrete?
There are lots of reasons to recycle concrete. Recycling concrete is a far more environmentally friendly disposal option than dumping it in a landfill. Choosing to recycle your concrete waste saves landfill space, natural resources, and money. Opting to recycle your concrete waste creates another bonus benefit as well–your company may see a boost in its reputation because consumers value environmentally conscientious businesses. Concrete recycling will save money beyond the price of disposal fees at the landfill. Because concrete can be recycled and used as aggregate for future projects, recycling lowers the price of concrete aggregate while increasing the supply and availability.
What’s the Process of Recycling Concrete?
So how do you recycle old concrete? Most of the process typically takes place in a concrete recycling plant. Before it gets there, though, it is generally broken up and removed from its original location. It’s often crushed into smaller pieces to make handling and transportation more manageable. It is also important that the concrete is clean, meaning that any paper, wood, or trash has been removed from the concrete. Then the concrete pieces arrive at the recycling center, where a crusher turns the concrete from slabs into small, bite-sized pieces. After being crushed the first time, any metals are removed. Some or all of the concrete may go through the crusher a second time to be broken down further. The resulting fragments are then sorted by size, allowing them to be used for various construction projects requiring specifically-sized aggregate.
Why Choose RAMCO?
Convenient Locations
From Ventura to San Diego, RAMCO has several different concrete recycling center locations in southern California. Click here to view the RAMCO closest to you. You are also welcome to call us toll-free at 877-296-8080 or email us for more information.
Flexible Services
Our services include the disposal of used construction materials, slurry water recycling, and the production of clean aggregate concrete in our recycling plants. regular business hours range from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm depending on the location. The Rialto location is open 24/7 EXCEPT SUNDAY.
We accept cash and credit card payments. You can also fill out a credit application directly through RAMCO, which you can access here.
Environmentally Conscious
Each of our recycling plants processes construction materials such as concrete and asphalt, preventing unnecessary waste that would usually end up in landfills. RAMCO breathes new life into this recycled waste and has been among the top concrete recycling services in the region since 1947.
Benefits of Concrete Recycling
From new construction to demolition, disposing of concrete from construction sites is often one of the most challenging obstacles. Recycling concrete is often better than taking old debris straight to a landfill. Concrete recycling centers such as RAMCO can give new life to old construction materials.
Uses of Recycled Concrete
New materials such as concrete aggregate come from breaking down used concrete, which can transform into pavers and other landscaping products. Recycled concrete is also helpful for road construction and riprap projects.
How Concrete Recycling Works
Concrete recycling starts by taking debris and crushing it into smaller pieces. This crushed concrete is known as recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). After the initial pass through the first crusher, RCA gets sent down a conveyor belt and sifted through to check for ferrous metals, dust, and dirt. Next, we filter RCA into piles with similarly sized chunks. RCA can be crushed into an even more acceptable material if necessary. Our concrete recycling centers work hard to ensure you get the cleanest product possible, free of dirt and hazardous waste.
Dumping Rules
We only accept broken concrete, asphalt, rock, and sand; all concrete must be less than 30 inches long. Your loads cannot contain weeds, clay, red brick, petro-mat, vegetation, clay, wire mesh, trash, or other extraneous materials; however, we also accept rebar for an additional charge. Salvaging dumped materials at our concrete recycling centers is strictly prohibited.
Upon arrival at the site, follow the posted speed limits and dump your loads in the designated area as directed by the RAMCO site personnel. Keep all doors secured while operating construction vehicles, and avoid backing up quickly to dislodge your load. In the event of an injury or accident, leave damaged vehicles where they are and immediately report to supervisory personnel.
Concrete Recycling FAQs:
Where Can I Dump Concrete?
So, where can you dump concrete? Your local landfill may be willing to take it. Expect to pay a disposal fee for every ton of concrete debris you intend to dump. Depending on the landfill’s regulations, you may be limited in how much you can dispose of. It may have rules about the concrete quality as well, so be sure to look into that too before taking it to a concrete dumpsite.
Is Concrete Recyclable?
Considering the popularity of dumping concrete, you’d be justified in wondering, “can old concrete be recycled?” The answer is a resounding yes. Concrete is a highly recyclable form of C&D waste that can be repurposed for outdoor projects such as fences, barriers, and pathways. It can also be crushed into concrete gravel and aggregate that can be reused for other construction projects. The benefits of concrete recycling make it an option well worth looking into.
Where Can I Recycle Concrete?
We accept concrete for recycling at our following locations: Sun Valley, Rialto, Escondido, and Beaumont.
Concrete recycling can be an excellent option for construction businesses. It offers your company multiple benefits, especially in saving costs and reducing your impact on the environment. You may find it beneficial to make a concrete recycling business plan, so you have clear guidance on how your company chooses to do concrete recycling. That will make consistency in execution far easier.
Can Concrete Be Recycled?
Yes! We accept concrete for recycling at our following locations: Sun Valley, Rialto, Escondido, and Beaumont.
Is Recycled concrete cheaper than gravel?
Yes. Recycling concrete requires fewer natural resources, which supports the goal of maintaining environmentally-friendly business practices. It is cheaper to buy recycled concrete than gravel.