Why concrete and brick are heavy
Concrete weighs approximately 2.4 tonnes per cubic metre when compacted. Brick and pavers are similar. A single pallet of bricks weighs 500–600 kg on its own.
By comparison, timber weighs around 0.6–0.8t/m³, and drywall about 0.9t/m³. If your load mixes timber, drywall, and concrete, the concrete dominates the weight.
| Material | Density (t/m³) |
|---|---|
| Concrete | ~2.4 |
| Brick, pavers, tiles | ~2.2–2.5 |
| Timber framing | ~0.6–0.8 |
| Drywall | ~0.9 |
| Mixed construction waste | ~1.0–1.5 |
Bin size and concrete load planning
Because weight, not volume, is the constraint, you need to plan backwards. Start with the included disposal weight for your bin size, then work out how many cubic metres of concrete fits under that limit.
- 9m³ Standard — 1.5t included. Fits ~0.6m³ of concrete before hitting the max, then it's excess charges. Best for small demolitions only (shed floor, driveway section).
- 12m³ Medium — 2t included. ~0.8m³ of concrete. Good for single-room bathroom or kitchen reno with concrete removal.
- 15m³ Large — 2.5t included. ~1m³ of concrete. Typical for house renovation with structural concrete.
- 20m³ XL — 3t included. ~1.3m³ of concrete. Full-house renovation with concrete removal.
- 30m³ Maxi — 3.5t included. ~1.5m³ of concrete. Commercial site or major demolition.
- 40m³ Super — 4.5t included. ~1.9m³ of concrete. Large demolition or industrial site.
Never mix heavy waste like concrete with lighter waste in the same bin — it wastes both space and weight allowance. Order a separate dedicated bin for concrete and brick.
Clean concrete vs mixed loads
Clean concrete (no timber, rebar, or fittings embedded) is recyclable into aggregate and is cheaper to dispose of. Mixed concrete with timber, plumbing, wiring, or other fittings is harder to process and may attract higher facility fees.
When removing concrete, ask your builder or contractor to separate clean concrete into one bin if possible. It's not always practical on site, but it can save money.
Working out the excess weight cost
Excess weight is charged at $340 per tonne after weighing at an SA EPA licensed facility. You'll get an email before any charge is applied.
Example: You book a 15m³ bin (2.5t included, $1,450) to demolish a concrete shed floor. Your concrete actually weighs 4 tonnes. You're 1.5 tonnes over the 2.5t limit, so the excess charge is 1.5 × $340 = $510. Total invoice: $1,450 + $510 = $1,960.
To avoid this, discuss the estimated weight before you book. Email us a brief site description and we'll suggest the right bin size.
What bin types suit heavy waste
Low-sided 9m³ and 12m³ bins are best for heavy work because they let you load deeper without overtopping. High-sided bins like the 30m³ and 40m³ hold volume but also encourage overloading if you're not careful.
For heavy demolition, our team may recommend a low-sided size even if you think the volume seems small. Trust that recommendation — it's based on thousands of Adelaide jobs.