Short answer: In Calgary, broken concrete does not belong in a regular garbage bin or a landfill garbage load. The City’s landfills do not recycle concrete or asphalt, and commercial loads mixed with them are charged a higher disposal surcharge rate of $180 per tonne. The simplest way to deal with concrete from a patio, steps, a walkway or a driveway is a dedicated concrete bin. At Cal-Waste that costs $300, with the recycling fee included. Smaller amounts can go straight to a private concrete recycling yard.
Why concrete needs its own plan
Concrete is heavy. A load that looks small can weigh more than a regular bin is allowed to carry, which is why concrete gets special handling:
- Regular bins are priced by weight. A 12-yard bin includes 1 tonne, and broken concrete can pass that long before the bin looks full.
- City landfills do not take concrete for recycling. The City lists concrete and asphalt among the materials that should be kept out of the landfill.
- Mixed loads cost more. Commercial loads at City landfills that contain concrete, asphalt or 10% or more of construction and demolition material are charged the disposal surcharge rate of $180 per tonne.
Your options for concrete disposal in Calgary
1. A concrete bin (best for patios, steps, walkways and driveways)
A concrete bin is dropped where you are working. You load the concrete, and it goes for recycling. At Cal-Waste the concrete bin is $300 and includes delivery, pickup and the recycling fee.
What can go in a concrete bin:
- Concrete (slabs, steps, footings, broken pieces)
- Asphalt
- Brick and stone
- Dirt and gravel, for landscaping jobs
Keep concrete loads clean. Wood, garbage, insulation and other debris should go in a regular bin, because mixed material cannot be recycled the same way.
2. A private concrete recycler
If you have a small amount and a truck or trailer that can carry the weight, private concrete and asphalt recycling yards around Calgary take clean loads. Call ahead to confirm what they take, whether rebar or wire mesh is allowed, and their price.
3. Leave it with your contractor
If a contractor is removing the concrete, ask whether disposal is in the quote. Many contractors book a concrete bin for the job themselves.
How to load a concrete bin
- Load by weight, not by height. Concrete bins fill up by weight, not space. Ask us how high to fill it when you book.
- Break slabs into pieces you can lift safely and place them rather than throwing them, to protect the bin and your driveway.
- Keep it clean: concrete, asphalt, brick, stone, dirt and gravel only.
- Tell us about rebar or mesh when you book.
Which projects need a concrete bin?
- Patio or walkway removal
- Front steps or a landing replaced
- Driveway or parking pad removal
- Retaining wall removal
- Garden and landscaping work with a lot of dirt or gravel
- Small demolition jobs with footings or slabs
For everything else from the same job, such as wood, drywall, packaging and old fixtures, a 12-yard or 20-yard bin is the right fit. Our What size bin do I need? guide helps you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put concrete in a regular dumpster in Calgary? Small pieces mixed with other debris add a lot of weight and can push a regular bin over its allowance. For more than a few pieces, use a concrete bin.
How much does concrete disposal cost in Calgary? A Cal-Waste concrete bin is $300 with the recycling fee included. Private recyclers charge by the load or the tonne, so call them for a price.
Do Calgary landfills take concrete? The City’s landfills do not recycle concrete or asphalt. Commercial loads that contain them are charged the City’s disposal surcharge rate of $180 per tonne.
Can dirt go in the concrete bin? Yes. Dirt and gravel go in the concrete bin, not a regular bin, because of the weight.
Can I mix concrete and wood in one bin? No. Keep the concrete bin to concrete, asphalt, brick, stone, dirt and gravel so it can be recycled. Put wood and other debris in a regular bin.
—
Removing a patio, steps or a driveway? Book a concrete bin from Cal-Waste at 403-922-9334. Serving Calgary, Airdrie, Chestermere, Cochrane and Okotoks.
Sources: City of Calgary, landfill commercial rates and disposal surcharge materials (2026).
Internal links: /dumpster-rental/ (concrete bin), /construction-bin-rental-calgary/, /what-size-bin-do-i-need/, /calgary-landfill-fees/, /contact/
Schema (Article): “`json {“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”Article”,”headline”:”Concrete Disposal in Calgary: Where It Goes and What It Costs”,”about”:”concrete disposal calgary”,”author”:{“@type”:”Organization”,”name”:”Cal-Waste Ltd.”,”@id”:”https://cal-waste.ca/#business”},”publisher”:{“@id”:”https://cal-waste.ca/#business”},”mainEntityOfPage”:”https://cal-waste.ca/concrete-disposal-calgary/”,”inLanguage”:”en-CA”} “`
