Shredders for Construction and Demolition Waste Management

Shredder shredding construction and demo waste

Every week, construction and demolition contractors across the US pay thousands to haul away dumpsters packed with bulky waste. From concrete and drywall to wood, asphalt, and roofing shingles, it all adds up fast. But there’s a better way to manage it.

A construction waste shredder helps reduce the size and volume of your material on-site. That means fewer dumpsters, fewer truck runs, and fewer hours wasted hauling debris to the landfill. The result? Even for a smaller operation you could be saving over $12,000 in monthly savings and a faster, cleaner job site.

Here’s how it works … and why you should consider one for your next job.

The Real Cost of Not Shredding Construction Waste

Let’s break down the numbers using a real contractor scenario:

Dumpster cost: $500 each
Dumpsters used per week: 10
Trucking and landfill costs: $1500 per week
Total monthly cost without a shredder: $26,000

before vs after of the olnova model 5 shredding concrete waste — Before vs After shredding concrete rubble. Imagine how much room that will save in your dumpster

Now compare that to using an on-site shredder like the Olnova Model 5:

Monthly shredder payment: $6,693
Fuel and operating cost: $3,200
Reduced dumpster needs: $3,340
Total monthly cost with shredder: $13,233

Net monthly savings: $12,767

That’s over $150,000 saved per year just by reducing material volume before it hits the dumpster.

How Demolition Waste Processing Changes with Shredders

Traditional demo work often means stopping the job to clear out dumpsters or send crews off-site to the landfill. That creates downtime, cuts productivity, and adds hours of paid time for your operators to sit in traffic.

A construction waste shredder solves that. You can process material directly on-site as you go. No interruptions. Just keep feeding it in, and the shredded output stacks neatly or goes straight into a smaller dumpster.

Even better: you won’t need as many dumpsters. With an average 3:1 reduction ratio, a shredder can compress what would normally fill three dumpsters into just one. That alone shrinks your hauling bill by two-thirds.

What You Can Shred

A modern shredder is built to handle more than just basic waste. Many contractors use them to:

Shred drywall, wood, siding, and framing lumber
Cut through roofing material and insulation
Break up asphalt and block
Tear through bundled construction debris
Shred tires, which can’t be dumped whole at many landfills

That last point is key. Whole tires are a landfill issue in many states, but once shredded, they’re typically allowed, and much cheaper to dispose of. Check out on blog on tire shredding. *You should always check with your local landfill to check their rules and regulations.

Before and after of the olnova model 5 shredder after shredding tires — The Olnova Model 5 can shred tires

Featured Construction and Demolition Waste Management Equipment : Olnova Shredders

Olnova’s shredders are compact, quiet, and perfect for use in residential or urban settings. Designed for efficiency, they are clean-running, cost-effective, and eliminate the need for diesel engine maintenance. With a wide range of sizes available, Olnova offers solutions for every need; from smaller operations to high-capacity machines capable of shredding entire cars. They even provide electric shredders for indoor use or specialized applications, such as gun shredding. Discover the full Olnova range and learn more today!

comparison of the olnova model 5, 75 and 95 shredders — Some of the Olnova Shredders

When a Shredder Makes Sense

If you’re working in any of these conditions, a shredder can start paying off right away:

Residential or commercial teardown
Storm cleanup or disaster response
Roofing or siding replacement
Municipal or DOT debris management
Any job with recurring truck and dumpster use

It’s not just about cost. Shredders also keep your site cleaner, safer, and more productive. No more bottlenecks waiting on dumpsters. No more sending crews off-site.

House flattened by a huricane — Shredders are needed after natural disasters to help with clean up

Calculate Your Shredder ROI

At Machinery Partner, we calculate the savings based on your specific hauling and landfill costs. In many cases, contractors see savings within the first month, and with regular use, the equipment often pays for itself within just a few years, or even sooner.

Looking for help choosing the right shredder? Whether you need electric, diesel, or hybrid options, we’ve got you covered. Ready to stop burning money on dumpsters and truck runs? Call 888-297-0623 to get a quote or ask for your custom ROI report today.

You can also explore our full selection of C&D waste shredders at machinerypartner.com.