How To Dispose of Bricks

Construction projects generate tons and tons of waste – truly, a tremendous amount of waste. From drywall and plaster to concrete and bricks, the tricky thing about construction debris removal is that not all items can be disposed of in the same way. Sound overwhelming? It doesn’t need to be.

You have a few options for safely and legally getting rid of bricks. Let’s break them down one by one – or rather, brick by brick.

Brick Disposal Options

The best option for you and your site will depend on various factors, such as how many bricks you have, brick types, and your individual cost-to-convenience ratio. Let’s get into it.

1. Rent a Roll-Off Dumpster

A roll-off dumpster is an excellent option if you have many bricks to get rid of in one wide sweep. If you’ve recently demolished a home or other structure and have tons of remaining brick remnants, a roll-off dumpster may be the best option for your project.

We recommend calling your local landfill if the bricks don’t seem reusable or recyclable. They will drop the dumpster off and pick it up at your desired time – saving you time and effort. Another good thing to note: because bricks are made from natural materials, they won’t contribute to toxic decay in landfills. They will, however, take up space.

Why waste that space when you could repurpose them for further projects? (More on that later!) Ask your landfill or local recycling center if they can coordinate a dumpster drop-off and pick-up for your pile of bricks. And lastly, check with the EPA on the quality of your bricks – should you desire to recycle them.

2. Dispose of the Bricks Yourself

Working with a tight budget? If you don’t have as many bricks as a neighboring site, you can always dispose of them yourself. However, this is a physically demanding job, perhaps even harder on the body than demolition. Indeed, the repetition and weight take a toll. As with all construction work, proceed with caution and care.

Likewise, landfills generally charge by the ton or by the trip, so you will save money by not renting a roll-off dumpster. A small tip: try to be conservative with the number of loads you take to the landfill if they charge per visit. It’ll save you in the long run. Ask a friend – or friendly neighbor! – for a flatbed truck, as you’ll absolutely need one to get this tedious job done.

3. Hire a Junk Removal Service

If you’ve got more money but less time, the decision is clear: hire a junk removal service. Junk removal companies like Nixxit take care of the entire process for you. You won’t have to worry about physical strain or injury, you’ll save a ton of time, and you can focus on completing the job while they worry about the cleanup. Sounds good to us!

While the con here is, of course, cost, you more than make up for this by handing the tedious labor over to the experts. We’ve got your back.

Recycling and Repurposing Old Bricks

We’ve mentioned recycling and repurposing old bricks. Well, how do you do it? Can you always do it? We’ll answer your questions below!

Material Exchange Programs

Many cities in California (and beyond!) host material exchange programs. You’ve probably received mailers about electronic waste recycling programs, which are crucial for reducing toxic environmental pollutants and creating jobs. (We recommend keeping one of these on your fridge or in a visible space as a handy reminder!)

Similar exchange programs exist with construction materials that don’t need to head straight to the landfill, like insulation and bricks.

Numerous cities will take old bricks donated to these exchange programs and crush them down, using them as aggregate for local building, art, or community projects. And even if city programs can’t return dried bricks to their malleable semi-soft state, they’re bettering the community with every exchange.

Sell Them Locally

If you have several bricks in good shape after completing demolition, you can sell them. They don’t have to look spotless! Even with flecks of paint and plaster on them, you’re likely to find site managers and contractors who will buy them from you for a reduced rate.

Buying construction materials at the market rate can be a huge drain, so reusing recycled bricks is an excellent way of killing an environmental and budget-saving bird with one stone.

You can also make a decent amount of money reselling suitable construction materials. Even materials like plasterboard, sheetrock, scrap metal, corrugated iron, tiles, and carpet can resell for a pretty profit – depending on their quality.

Reuse Them in Your Own DIY Projects

You don’t have to know how to break bricks down to create mortar or anything complicated. You can use whole bricks, half bricks, and even tiny chips and fragments in fun and beautiful DIY projects.

Re-line the pathway from your front door to the sidewalk, or repurpose the area from your back door into the yard. Dig a moat and line the bricks diagonally, so they create a stunning spiral pattern. Another recommendation? Use bricks to create a border for your garden or a family-friendly backyard fire pit. If those ideas don’t inspire you, we recommend searching for your own DIY projects online. The possibilities are endless!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Put Bricks in the Bin?

Construction materials like asphalt, bricks, and concrete cannot be put in the regular garbage or recycling bin. If you’re spearheading a project on your own, find a way to dispose of them directly – without the help of the trash service. Don’t overload your trashman with a bin full of heavy bricks!

Are Bricks Recyclable?

While you can’t recycle bricks conventionally, you can certainly reuse them for other projects – whether DIY or community-focused. Don’t contribute to landfill waste, and recycle responsibly!

Brick Disposal Is Simple With Nixxit!

If you need construction debris removed in the Bay Area, we’re here to help. We are a locally-owned business that prioritizes recycling and donating the junk we collect – all for your peace of mind.

Need even more assistance? We also dispose of debris such as drywall, shingles, carpet, glass, cabinets, and tiles. With our expert help, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief – one brick at a time. Call us and ask how we can help you and your project today!