How to Dispose of Old Bricks
Bricks are a common demolition material that require careful weight planning when placed in a dumpster. This guide covers recommended container sizes, weight considerations, loading techniques, and recycling or salvage options that can reduce your disposal costs.
The short answer
Bricks are heavy masonry, so they go in a dedicated heavy-debris dumpster (typically a 10-yard) rather than a mixed-junk container. Clean, whole bricks are often reusable or wanted for free by landscapers and DIYers, so list them locally before paying to dump them. Clean brick and concrete can also be taken to a masonry recycler that crushes them into aggregate, often cheaper than a landfill. Keep the load free of mortar debris and trash for the best disposal rate.
Overview
Bricks are accepted in roll-off dumpsters but are classified as heavy debris alongside concrete, block, and stone. A single standard brick weighs about 4-5 lbs, and brick debris accumulates weight quickly. Proper dumpster size selection and loading technique are essential to staying within weight limits. Salvageable antique or vintage bricks may have resale value.
What Can and Cannot Go in a Dumpster
Accepted in a Dumpster
- Common red clay bricks (whole or broken)
- Fire bricks and refractory bricks
- Brick pavers and patio bricks
- Mortar and mortar chunks
- Cinder blocks and CMU
Cinder blocks are lighter than clay bricks but still heavy. Weight-plan accordingly.
Not Accepted / Special Handling Required
- Bricks contaminated with hazardous coatings
Bricks coated with lead paint, asbestos, or chemical contaminants require specialized disposal.
- Industrial or contaminated refractory bricks
Fire bricks from industrial kilns or furnaces may contain heavy metal residues and require testing before disposal.
- Bricks from contaminated sites (brownfields)
May require environmental assessment before disposal.
Best Dumpster Size for Bricks
Recommended container sizes based on typical bricks project scope.
10 Yard
12' x 8' x 3.5' | 1 ton
The recommended size for pure brick loads. Fill only halfway to two-thirds to manage weight. Ideal for chimney demolition, small wall removal, or patio brick disposal.
View Size Details15 Yard
16' x 7.5' x 4.5' | 1.5 tons
For larger brick projects mixed with lighter materials. Still requires careful weight monitoring.
View Size Details20 Yard
22' x 7.5' x 4.5' | 2 tons
Only for mixed loads where bricks are a small portion alongside lighter demolition debris.
View Size DetailsWeight Considerations
Average weight: 1,800 - 2,200 lbs per cubic yard
Bricks weigh approximately 1,800 to 2,200 lbs per cubic yard depending on density and mortar content. A single standard brick weighs about 4-5 lbs. A typical chimney demolition generates 1-3 tons of brick. A full 10-yard dumpster of bricks would weigh 9-11 tons, far exceeding standard weight limits. As with concrete, the rule is to use a 10-yard dumpster and fill it only halfway.
Weight Tips
- A 10-yard dumpster filled halfway with bricks weighs approximately 4-5 tons. Request a heavy-load allowance.
- Mixed loads of brick and lighter materials (wood, drywall) reduce the per-yard weight average.
- Mortar adds weight but also creates air gaps. Brick debris with mortar attached weighs slightly less per cubic yard than clean stacked bricks.
- Salvageable bricks in good condition may be worth $0.25-$1.00 each. Check before landfilling.
Disposal Tips for Bricks
Use a 10-yard dumpster for pure brick loads
Bricks are dense and heavy. A 10-yard dumpster is the right size for brick debris; fill it only halfway to two-thirds to stay within the weight allowance.
Spread bricks evenly across the floor
Distribute brick debris across the entire dumpster floor. Concentrated loads create a tipping hazard during transport and can stress the dumpster floor.
Check for salvage value
Older bricks, especially antique or vintage bricks, may have resale value. Brick salvage companies and architectural salvage yards buy clean, whole bricks for $0.25-$1.00+ each. A thousand salvaged bricks can be worth $250-$1,000.
Remove bricks from mortar for recycling
Clean bricks free of mortar are easier to recycle and more valuable for resale. If you have the time, knocking mortar off bricks with a brick hammer can pay off.
Disposal Regulations
Bricks are classified as C&D (construction and demolition) debris and must be disposed of at licensed C&D landfills or recycling facilities in most states.
Clean bricks are widely accepted at concrete and masonry recycling facilities, often at lower tipping rates than mixed C&D debris.
Some municipalities require masonry waste to be separated from general construction debris for processing.
Lead-painted bricks from older structures may require special handling under EPA lead paint regulations.
Environmental Considerations
Bricks are one of the most durable and reusable building materials in existence. Clean bricks can be salvaged and reused in new construction, landscaping, and decorative applications for decades. Crushed brick is also used as aggregate, drainage material, and sports surface topping.
Eco-Friendly Disposal Tips
- Salvage clean, whole bricks for reuse in new projects or sale to architectural salvage companies.
- Donate usable bricks to Habitat for Humanity ReStores or community garden projects.
- Crushed brick can be used as a decorative landscaping material, drainage fill, or base course.
- Check for masonry recyclers in your area that accept clean brick and concrete at reduced rates.
Ready to Rent a Dumpster for Bricks?
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Which tools and prices help with bricks?
- Concrete and brick dumpsters: the heavy-material box
- Weight estimator: add up debris weight by material
- Cubic yard calculator: measure your debris pile
- Dumpster prices: live all-in prices by size
- Order online: get your exact price by ZIP
- Dumpster sizes: 10 to 40 yards compared
Sources
- U.S. EPA: Volume-to-weight conversion factors: Reference weights per cubic yard for common waste materials.
- U.S. EPA: Construction and demolition debris: National C&D generation and recycling figures.
- U.S. EPA: Household hazardous waste: What must stay out of the dumpster and where it goes.
How these numbers are set: weights per cubic yard are planning ranges for loose debris, consistent with the EPA conversion factors above; included tons are Ultimate Dumpsters' standard allowances by size. Real loads vary with moisture and packing.
Straight Talk From Our Team
“The weight estimator is the one I wish every customer used first. People size by how big the pile looks, but a load of concrete or dirt or wet drywall hits the tonnage limit while the box still looks half empty. Run the weight before you pick the size and the overage surprise just goes away. That is the whole reason we built it.”
Michael V.
Head of Operations, Ultimate Dumpsters. Weigh it before you pick the size
Bricks Disposal FAQs
Common questions about disposing of bricks in a dumpster.
Yes, bricks are accepted in roll-off dumpsters. However, bricks are heavy: approximately 1,800-2,200 lbs per cubic yard. Use a 10-yard dumpster and fill it only halfway to stay within weight limits. Request a heavy-load allowance from your provider for pure brick loads.
A 10-yard dumpster filled to the top with bricks would weigh approximately 9-11 tons, far exceeding a 10-yard's included 1-ton allowance. This is why we recommend filling a 10-yard only halfway (approximately 4-5 tons) and requesting a heavy-load dumpster.
Yes. Clean, whole bricks can be salvaged and reused in new construction, landscaping, or decorative projects. Antique and vintage bricks are especially valuable at $0.25-$1.00+ each. Broken bricks can be crushed for use as aggregate, drainage material, or landscaping stone.
A typical chimney demolition generates 1-3 tons of brick. Rent a 10-yard dumpster with a heavy-load allowance. Load bricks evenly across the dumpster floor. If the chimney has old mortar joints, consider separating clean bricks for salvage, which can offset disposal costs.
The cheapest option is often to give them away or sell them. Post clean bricks on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace; they are frequently in demand for landscaping, garden borders, and DIY projects. Brick salvage companies may buy them. If disposal is needed, a 10-yard dumpster with heavy-load allowance is the most practical option.
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