Construction & Demolition
How to Reduce & Recycle Construction Waste
Updated 2026-07-04 · 6 min read
Concrete, brick, timber and rubble make up a huge share of what goes to landfill — yet most of it can be reused or recycled. A little planning on site keeps materials in use and cuts disposal costs.
Design and plan to waste less
- Order accurately and reuse offcuts
- Choose standard sizes to reduce cutting
- Deconstruct rather than demolish where possible
- Set up separate skips for concrete, timber, metal and mixed waste
What can be recycled or reused
- Concrete & rubble → crushed for aggregate and sub-base
- Timber → reclaimed, reused or chipped
- Steel & metals → high-value scrap recycling
- Bricks & tiles → cleaned and reused
Find a rubble recycler
Browse the Construction & Demolition waste stream to find crushers and recyclers near your site. Prioritise verified or certified providers who can document where the material ends up.
Frequently asked questions
Is crushed concrete worth anything?
Yes — clean crushed concrete is used as aggregate and road sub-base, so recyclers often take it at low or no cost versus landfill fees and levies.
What's the difference between demolition and deconstruction?
Demolition destroys the structure; deconstruction carefully dismantles it so materials like timber, bricks and fittings can be reused. Deconstruction recovers far more value.