Recycling Old Driveway Materials

Why Recycling Old Driveway Materials Is Worth Your Time

Ripping out an aging driveway creates a mountain of heavy waste—literally. Concrete chunks, asphalt sections, pavers, and gravel can quickly fill a dumpster and, if land-filled, add hundreds of dollars in disposal fees. Recycling old driveway materials flips that cost into value: you keep debris out of landfills, cut hauling charges, and often end up with free or low-cost base material for the new installation.

Beyond the feel-good environmental angle, many states now offer tax incentives or landfill rebates for documented recycling. Cities such as Austin, Denver, and Portland even require a minimum 50 % diversion rate on “hard-scape” demo projects. Knowing how to sort, haul, and process your old driveway keeps you compliant, saves money, and speeds up contractor scheduling.

What Driveway Materials Can Actually Be Recycled?

Not every component is accepted at every facility, but the list of recyclable driveway materials is longer than most homeowners think.

Asphalt (a.k.a. bituminous concrete)

100 % recyclable. Local plants grind it into “RAP” (Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement) that goes right back into new hot-mix at rates up to 40 %. RAP is screened into ½-inch minus and ¾-inch minus sizes for driveways and roads alike.

Portland Cement Concrete

Crushed to RCA (Recycled Concrete Aggregate) and re-used as road base, pipe bedding, or new concrete mix. Quality depends on cleanliness—keep wood, plastic, and rebar out of the pile.

Clay Brick & Paver Stones

Clean bricks can be re-sold to reclaim yards for 20–60 ¢ each. Broken pieces become attractive sub-base or landscaping chips after a quick pass through a small crusher.

Natural Stone Slabs or Cobbles

Lift, power-wash, and re-lay; value actually increases with age. If cracked, crush for highly decorative drainage gravel.

Gravel & Limestone Base

Screen out fines, add a 10 % fresh topping, and re-compact. Essentially infinite life if it stays on-site.

Steel Expansion Joints & Rebar

Scrap yard commodity. Segregate it early; contractors often haul it free because the cash return covers fuel.

Planning Your Demo for Maximum Recovery

A little pre-planning turns demolition day into a sorting game rather than a costly mess.

Map the Material Flow

1. Sketch a simple site plan showing the driveway, gates, and stockpile zone.
2. Choose a dry corner of the yard for “clean” concrete, another for asphalt, and a third for mixed rubble.
3. Keep heavy trucks on the street; use a skid-steer to shuttle sorted piles outward—this prevents double handling.

Rent the Right Size Crusher (or Skip It)

If you have 40 sq ft or less of concrete, a rented ¾-ton jaw crusher ($250/day) is overkill. Haul to a recycler who will crush for $8–$12 per ton. Between 200 sq ft and 1 000 sq ft, on-site crushing starts to pay off—especially if you need 4–6 inches of new base. Always call recyclers first; many provide a mini-crusher and operator for half-day rates if you buy back the processed aggregate.

Get Permits & Utility Marks

Recycling doesn’t exempt you from city demo permits. A permit fee of $50–$125 is typical, but it waives landfill inspection surcharges later. Call 811 for utility locates at least 72 hours before saw-cutting.

Step-by-Step DIY Recycling Process

Homeowners with a ½-ton pickup, basic tools, and a free weekend can handle most small driveways (under 600 sq ft). Follow this proven sequence:

Saw-Cut First

Use a 14-inch gas demo saw with a diamond blade ($65/day) to score 2-foot squares. Clean cuts make pry-out easier and keep chunks stackable for transport.

Lift & Stack, Don’t Skid-Steer Everything

A 4-ft spud bar and two digging bars break the suction under slabs. Stack pieces directly onto a 16-ft flat trailer; mixed rubble costs more to dump, so sort as you go.

De-metal as You Work

Hit rebar with a reciprocating saw fitted with a 12-inch demolition blade. Toss steel into a separate 5-gal bucket—one 5-gal pail equals about $6 in scrap value.

Load in 12-Inch Lifts

When using the material on-site as base, spread in 12-inch loose lifts, spray with water, and compact with a 200-lb plate compactor. RCA binds tighter than limestone dust, so you save on geotextile fabric in most climates.

Questions to Ask Your Driveway Contractor

Even if you hire out the removal, you remain in control of where the debris goes. Vet each bid with these specifics:

• “What percentage of material will be diverted from landfill?” Aim for 70 % or higher.
• “Can you provide the recycling facility ticket?” A weigh-slip shows tonnage and proves diversion.
• “Will you credit me for any scrap metal or RAP sales?” Some contractors keep the rebate unless you ask.
• “Do you own a mobile crusher or partner with one?” On-site crushing usually knocks $1–$2 per sq ft off hauling costs.

Costs vs. Savings: A Realistic Breakdown

Numbers vary by region, but the table below reflects U.S. national averages for a 600 sq ft (12 ft × 50 ft) driveway removal:

Factor in a $250 crusher rental if DIY, and you still net roughly $1 300—enough to upgrade from standard asphalt to decorative exposed aggregate.

Environmental Impact in Plain English

Every ton of asphalt diverted saves about 55 gal of petroleum-based bitumen. A typical two-car driveway weighs 25 tons—recycling it conserves 1 375 gal of oil, equal to cutting 13 metric tons of CO₂. Concrete recycling is equally dramatic: one ton of RCA keeps 1 000 lb of CO₂-equivalent out of the atmosphere when you factor in avoided quarrying, hauling, and cement production.

LEED & Local Incentives

Homes pursuing LEED certification earn 1–2 points for 50 % construction waste diversion and an extra point for 75 %. Many counties match those points with property-tax rebates or fast-track permits for future renovations.

Creative Reuse Ideas Around Your Property

Not everything has to leave the site. Homeowners are turning old driveway pieces into stylish, functional elements:

• Raised-bed walls: Dry-stack 18-inch concrete chunks for a modern, industrial look. Fill crevices with succulents.
• Stepping-stone path: Slice brick pavers with a wet saw to create 12-inch rounds; set them in pea gravel for a quick garden walkway.
• Edge restraints: Use 6-inch cobble stones from an old border as mower strips along flower beds.
• Fire-pit pad: Pack 4 inches of RCA, level, and top with 1 inch of sand for a heat-proof base that costs $0 in new stone.

Regulations & Where to Find Recycling Centers

Rules change by county, yet most follow these common threads:

• Clean concrete must be free of trash, wood, and drywall (< 1 % contamination).
• Asphalt loads containing > 5 % soil may be rejected or surcharged.
• Painting or waterproofing sealers (coal-tar based) render asphalt non-recyclable in several Northeast states—check with your DEP.

Quick Directory

National: Earth911.com – enter “concrete” + ZIP.
California: CalRecycle.ca.gov lists certified asphalt plants buying RAP.
Texas: TxDOT’s “Material Producer List” shows approved RCA suppliers near every major city.
Florida: FDOT’s “RAP Stockpile” map shows plants paying $5–$10 per ton credit.

Frequently Asked Questions