Machinery partner expert onsite with Chad using his new yellow ARK 503 jaw crusher

It might be easy to pay someone to haul away the concrete waste piled up at your site, but what if you could create a new income from all the concrete sidewalks, roads, parking lots, and structures you tear up?

Crushing concrete on-site transforms waste into valuable material, saving money and supporting sustainable practices. Whether you're a contractor, landscaper, or recycler, understanding the basics of concrete crushing can open new revenue streams and reduce disposal costs.

What is recycled concrete aggregate (RCA)?

Recycled Concrete Aggregate is produced by crushing concrete debris into specified sizes, typically between 1–2 inches. The process involves removing contaminants like rebar, soil, and plaster, resulting in clean, reusable aggregate. RCA serves as a cost-effective alternative to virgin materials for various construction applications.

Crushed concrete in bins ready to be sold to customers. there are two bins made from concrete blocks that are stockpiled high with crushed concrete
Crushed concrete aggregate ready to buy from a supplier

Concrete recycling near me...

You can't get much closer than concrete recycling on your own land or job site!

Concrete recycling has become increasingly popular in recent years, and a quick Google search will show you why: concrete dump near me and concrete recycling near me are two of the most popular search terms! If you want to get even closer to concrete recycling, do it yourself. Not only can you save money on dumping or tipping fees, but you can also create your own concrete recycling business by offering services in your local area. People could hire you to handle their waste concrete and recycle it for them—an amazing opportunity as concrete recycling is becoming more and more in demand. Get creative with your concrete recycling venture!

How do I crush concrete to sell it?

The idea of recycling concrete may seem a little daunting, but it’s actually really easy to get started. There are only two steps!

  1. Preparation: Remove and break up concrete on your job site into workable pieces. You can do this by attaching a hydraulic breaker to your excavator. For bigger jobs, a pulverizer can be used.
  2. Crushing: You will want to crush larger pieces of concrete into more manageable pieces using a compact and mobile jaw crusher. If the job requires a bigger machine, jaw crushers come in a full range of sizes; check out different crushers here.
  3. Remove metal: It is also important to remove any metal from your concrete so that it does not get mixed in with your RCA. Some machines come with built-in overband magnets to help make that process easier. Any large pieces of metal that can be removed before being placed into the crusher should be taken out.
  4. Screening: If specific aggregate sizes are required, screen the crushed concrete accordingly.

For beginners, you can even get a brand new jaw crusher for the same price as a new truck. But does your truck give you a new income stream from what it creates? Recycling and selling crushed concrete can! For experts or for those who are wanting to make large amounts of graded and Department of Transport-approved materials for government jobs - impact crushers are the machines for you!

ARK 2416 crushing concrete on a residential job site
Start crushing material on site and save thousands on aggregates

Real-World Example: How Royal Pavers is Saving $1000 A Week Crushing Concrete

Fabian from Royal Pavers used to haul concrete waste off his job sites, losing time and paying high dumping fees. After partnering with Machinery Partner, he added a compact crusher to his operations and started processing that same material on site. Now, instead of paying to get rid of concrete, he crushes it down into reusable base for driveways and patios, or sells it directly to local contractors.

With his ARK crusher and screener setup, Fabian is not just saving on disposal and material costs. He’s creating a new revenue stream and growing his business faster than ever. As he put it, "I’ve made back my investment quicker than I thought and I don’t need to rely on anyone else for material."

What are the benefits of crushing concrete?

Recycling and selling RCA requires an investment of time and money, but there are so many benefits to making it.

  • Cost Savings: Reduces the need to purchase new aggregate and lowers disposal fees.
  • Revenue Generation: Crushed concrete can be sold to landscapers, contractors, and other businesses.
  • Environmental Impact: Recycling concrete minimizes landfill use and conserves natural resources.
large dump truck being filled with waste concrete by a large red excavator. the truck is heading to landfill to dump the concrete waste
You could save money instead of sending all this concrete to landfill

Where can I sell my own recycled concrete aggregate?

Depending on the final grade of your recycled concrete aggregate, you may find a wide variety of markets to sell to, including:

  • Landscapers: Used for pathways, retaining walls, and decorative features.
  • Construction Contractors: Serves as base material for roads, driveways, and foundations.
  • Drainage Systems: Utilized in French drains and other water management systems.
  • Highway Contractors
  • Homeowners
  • Water Management Contractors
  • Engineering Firms

Recycled concrete aggregate continues to be a primary material for road bases and construction fill. Demand for recycled materials and keeping concrete away from landfills remains a high priority for the industry. Creating a new income stream for your company and increasing recycling efforts for your operation is a win-win.

Choosing the Right Crusher for Concrete

Not all crushers handle concrete the same way. For demo jobs and site work, a jaw crusher is typically the best first step, it handles large chunks and reinforced material well. If you want a cleaner, more uniform product for resale, following up with an impact crusher or adding a screener helps produce a consistent finished product. Compact crushers like the ARK 503 or Omega J1065T are ideal for contractors looking to process material on the job without needing a large setup.

Find a concrete crusher with Machinery Partner

Machinery Partner is here to help make your business more sustainable. We offer a huge catalog of equipment suitable, including crushers, screeners & excavators for every need and budget. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts to discuss your business ideas today!

;

Have a question? Talk to an expert!

Call us 24/7 or request a callback using the buttons below.
phone+1 800 329 3375