Two types of pool demolition and their waste
Both approaches create concrete and tile waste. Old pool surrounds often include coping stone, decking, fencing, and irrigation pipework. Any asbestos-containing materials (sometimes found in surrounds of very old pools) must NOT be placed in the bin and require specialist removal.
- Full removal: excavate and haul away the entire pool structure (concrete shell, support beams, plumbing). Produces large volumes of heavy concrete and rubble.
- Partial removal or in-fill: drain, break up the pool, and bury or backfill the hole. Generates concrete and tile debris, plus any old fencing or surround materials removed during prep.
Why pool demo waste is a weight problem
Concrete weighs approximately 2.4 tonnes per cubic metre. A typical residential pool shell is 200–400mm thick. Even a modest pool can produce 10–15 tonnes of concrete rubble once broken up. Add tiles, coping, fencing, and surrounding concrete, and you're looking at a lot of weight from a single job.
Hooklift bins carry a 10-tonne maximum weight. Excess weight costs $340 per tonne. A bin completely full of concrete rubble will almost always exceed the included disposal weight. This means you may need multiple bins or need to separate light materials from heavy concrete.
Which bin size for pool demolition
For most residential pools, a 20m³ XL bin ($1,750, includes 3t disposal) is the minimum starting point. The 30m³ Maxi ($2,100, includes 3.5t disposal) is often better for large pools or concrete-heavy removals.
Choose based on weight, not just volume. A small fibreglass pool may fit in a 15m³ bin, but a concrete pool of the same footprint will exceed the weight limit quickly. Ask your demolition contractor for an estimate of concrete volume before booking.
Managing weight: the real cost factor
Weight, not volume, is your cost driver in pool demolition. The 20m³ bin includes 3 tonnes of disposal weight; the 30m³ includes 3.5 tonnes. Anything over the included limit costs $340 per tonne. To minimise excess weight charges:
- Separate materials: place heavy concrete and rubble in one bin; place light waste (timber coping, fencing, lightweight rubble) in a second bin if needed
- Estimate before you hire: ask your demolition contractor to estimate concrete volume and weight. If it's heavy, book two bins upfront rather than discovering overage charges later
- Consider a dedicated concrete bin: large concrete pools may be cheaper to manage with a separate heavy-waste bin, keeping lighter materials in a second smaller bin
What can and cannot go in the bin
| Material | Accepted? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete rubble | Yes | Main waste product. Heavy - watch weight limit. |
| Pool tiles | Yes | Light; can be packed into any remaining volume. |
| Coping stone | Yes | Variable weight; typically manageable. |
| Fencing and decking | Yes | Timber and metal fencing, old decking, pergolas. |
| Plumbing (copper, PVC) | Yes | Drain and clean if possible. |
| Reinforcing steel (rebar) | Yes | Acceptable; sorted at facility. |
| Soil or backfill | Yes | Soil weighs ~1.4–1.8t/m³. Factor into weight budget. |
| Asbestos-containing materials | No | Requires specialist removal. Cannot go in the bin. |
If your pool surround or any removed materials are suspected to contain asbestos (common in pools built before the 1990s), do NOT include them. Have the materials tested before demolition begins.