Where to recycle concrete, brick and block near Columbia
Near Columbia, broken concrete, brick and block usually go to a private aggregate recycler, not the county landfill. Alpha Ridge refuses large quantities of stone, brick, block, asphalt and concrete from contractors. Howard County's C&D recycling guide lists recyclers in Woodbine, Perry Hall, Baltimore and Silver Spring. Each charges its own drop-off fee and sets its own rebar and size rules, so call before you load.
Key takeaways
- Alpha Ridge refuses soil and large quantities of concrete, brick, block, stone and asphalt from contractors.
- Howard County's 2023 C&D guide lists more than 10 concrete and asphalt recyclers in the region.
- Rules vary: some take rebar, some limit piece size (2x2 ft or 3x3 ft), one bans trailers.
- Anne Arundel charges $200/ton for concrete; Carroll refuses pieces over 6 inches.
- A 7x14 carries about 2.5 yd³ of concrete before it hits its 9,820-lb payload.
Can I take concrete to Alpha Ridge?
Only small amounts. Howard County no longer accepts soil or large quantities of stone, brick, block, asphalt or concrete from commercial contractors.
The fee schedule lists broken paving, stone and brick at $106 per ton, so a homeowner's small load may be accepted. Anything more than a few wheelbarrows should go to a recycler, and contractors should plan on a recycler from the start. Alpha Ridge treats trailers and rental vehicles as commercial, and the scale staff decide what's acceptable. See how the Alpha Ridge scale works. Landfill fees, hours and rules are set by each county or site and can change without notice. We don't control them; call the site before you go.
Which recyclers take concrete, brick and block near Columbia?
Howard County's Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling Guide (2023) lists these as the closest options. Confirm current rules and fees by phone before you go.
| Recycler (per county guide) | Location | Takes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parrott Materials | Woodbine | Concrete (no steel), asphalt, gravel/stone | Mon–Fri 7–3:30, Sat 7–1; fee depends on material quality |
| Honeygo Run Reclamation | Perry Hall | Concrete (no rebar), asphalt, brick (no refractory) | Mon–Fri 7–4, Sat 7–12; drop-off fee |
| Environmental Alternatives Recycling | Edison Hwy, Baltimore | Concrete, asphalt, soil | Mon–Fri 7–4; drop-off fee |
| Percontee | Silver Spring | Concrete (rebar to #4), asphalt, brick, ceramics, stone | Mon–Fri 7–4, Sat 7–12; hard hats required |
| Miller Asphalt Products | Finksburg | Clean concrete to 3x3 ft, no rebar; asphalt | Guide says no trailers |
| The Recycling Center | Old Gunpowder Rd, Baltimore | Concrete, asphalt, brick, stone (no dirt) | Mon–Fri 7:30–5, Sat 7:30–2 |
The county guide notes that companies change their accepted materials and terms, so call ahead. The fact pack's Baltimore Recycling Center on Edison Highway charges $93 per ton with a 1-ton minimum and takes loads from any county. Landfill fees, hours and rules are set by each county or site and can change without notice. We don't control them; call the site before you go.
Rent the 7x14 14K Dump
$165/day · $279 weekend · $595 week. Total with tax shown before you book.
See prices and bookHow much concrete fits in a dump trailer?
About 2.5 cubic yards in a 7x14 and 1.7 in a 6x12. Weight, not space, is the limit.
Normal-weight concrete is about 145 lb per cubic foot, or 3,915 lb per cubic yard. A 7x14 dump trailer has a 9,820-lb payload, which works out to about 200 square feet of 4-inch slab. The bed will look only a third to half full when you hit the limit. Brick and block are lighter per load than solid slab because they don't pack tight, but they still add up fast. Use the load calculator and read can you put concrete in a dump trailer.
| Trailer | Rate | With tax | Concrete per load |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7x14 dump | $165/day | $174.90 | ~2.5 yd³ / ~200 sq ft of 4-in slab |
| 6x12 dump | $119/day | $126.14 | ~1.7 yd³ / ~140 sq ft of 4-in slab |
How do I prep a load so the recycler takes it?
Keep it clean. Concrete, brick and block only, sized and trimmed to the recycler's rules.
- No trash or wood. Mixed loads may be refused or charged as debris.
- No dirt. Some sites refuse concrete with soil on it. Knock off what you can.
- Rebar and mesh. Some sites take it, some cap the size, some refuse it. Cut it flush or ask first.
- Piece size. Some sites set a maximum, such as 2x2 ft or 3x3 ft.
- Bring a hard hat and vest. At least one listed site requires hard hats.
Load pieces flat and spread over the axles. A loaded 14K dump puts about 1,400 to 2,100 lb on the hitch, so check your truck in the tow checker. Your vehicle's manufacturer ratings and manual always win.
Separate material at the job site if you'll split loads, for example concrete in the first load and brick in the second. Some sites price clean, single-material loads better than mixed ones.
What does a concrete haul cost, start to finish?
A day's trailer rental plus the recycler's fee. Recyclers usually cost less than county sites that surcharge concrete.
Example: tearing out a 10x20-foot, 4-inch patio, about 9,670 lb or 4.8 tons, hauled in two half loads in a 7x14.
| Line | Example |
|---|---|
| 7x14 dump, 1 day | $165 ($174.90 with tax) |
| Baltimore Recycling Center, 4.8 tons at $93/ton | ~$450 |
| Same tonnage at Anne Arundel's $200/ton concrete rate | ~$967 |
| Howard-area recycler from the county guide | Call for a quote |
Two half loads keep each trip well under the trailer's payload and your truck's limits. They also give you a chance to confirm on the first run that the recycler takes your material.
Reuse is cheaper still. Clean broken concrete can be reused on site as fill under a new slab or as a dry-stacked garden wall, if your project and any HOA allow it. Whatever stays on site doesn't need hauling.
Brick and block. Whole bricks and pavers in good shape sometimes find a second life through reuse groups. Howard's donation directory lists building-material reuse options such as the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and The Loading Dock. Call first, because most only take clean, usable material. Landfill fees, hours and rules are set by each county or site and can change without notice. We don't control them; call the site before you go.
What do other nearby counties do with concrete?
Most nearby county landfills refuse concrete or charge a premium for it, which is why recyclers are the usual destination.
| County site | Concrete rule |
|---|---|
| Anne Arundel, Millersville | Concrete and stumps $200/ton |
| Carroll, Northern Landfill | Refuses concrete over 6 inches |
| Baltimore County, Eastern Sanitary | Small C&D quantities only; $125/ton |
Landfill fees, hours and rules are set by each county or site and can change without notice. We don't control them; call the site before you go.
Questions
Is clean concrete free to drop off?
Not at the sites in Howard's guide. Each lists a drop-off fee. Some sites that buy material may price clean loads differently, so ask.
Can I mix brick and concrete in one load?
Often, at recyclers that take both. Check each site's list; one in the guide takes brick but not refractory brick.
Do you dump concrete for me?
Return It Loaded works for county-scale loads. Ask us before you book it for concrete, since most counties won't take it.
Sources
- Howard County: Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling Guide (2023)
- Howard County: Alpha Ridge Landfill (hours, eligibility, refused materials)
- Howard County: Alpha Ridge transfer station and C&D debris
- Howard County: Alpha Ridge Landfill fee schedule, good through 6/30/2027
- FHWA: unit weight of normal-weight concrete (0.145 kcf)