Concrete Removal in NZ: Free, Affordable and Easy Solutions Explained!

When it comes to home improvements, concrete removal can be one of the trickier tasks on your to-do list. Whether you’re breaking up an old patio, driveway, or garden path, concrete is heavy and awkward to handle. It’s also not something you can throw in your kerbside rubbish. Most councils won’t accept building or construction waste through standard rubbish collection services.

The good news? There are several smart, affordable options for concrete disposal in NZ, including recycling concrete, using clean fill sites or hiring a local professional for concrete waste disposal. In this article, we’ll walk you through your options based on cost, effort and convenience.

And you’d rather skip the heavy lifting altogether, Ezy Peazy has you covered. Thanks to our extensive network of professional taskers up and down the country — and our user-friendly platform — low-cost removal services for all different kinds of household waste are just a few clicks away! We make it simple to hire a reliable removalist to take care of everything, from breaking up your concrete to hauling it away.

Free concrete disposal options

There are a number of free concrete disposal options in NZ that are worth exploring – especially if you’re willing to put in a bit of time and effort.

Keep in mind that the cleaner your concrete is, the more likely you’ll be able to find someone to take it off your hands. If your concrete is painted or mixed with other debris, you might have a harder time finding it a home.  As a general rule of thumb — clean fill is easier to get rid of as it is considered environmentally ‘clean’ and suitable for reuse. To be considered clean fill, concrete must be free from harmful contaminants and materials.

Use online buy-and-sell platforms

Websites like Facebook Marketplace, Trade Me and Neighbourly are excellent places to list your unwanted concrete. You’d be surprised how many DIYers, landscapers, and builders are actually looking for concrete rubble to use in projects like drainage, garden edging and retaining walls.

 This is a great way to recycle concrete. Not only are you getting it off your hands, but you’re also giving it a second life! That’s a win for your wallet and our environment.

There’s even a dedicated Clean Fill NZ Facebook group for businesses and individuals looking to offload or pick up used concrete.

Some top tips when creating an online listing: 

• Make sure you take clear photos
• Write a short description – including details like dimensions and whether the concrete is reinforced 
• List it as free or set a low price, like the Trade Me example pictured below.

Offer your concrete to local builders or landscapers

Depending on the quantity and condition local contractors, builders or landscaping companies may be interested in taking your concrete rubble off your hands. Many smaller-scale operators use concrete as clean fill for backfilling or in other construction tasks.  If you’re able to transport it yourself, you’ll be even more likely to find takers.

Just be aware: this approach often means ringing around and waiting to find someone interested. It’s free, but it can be time-consuming.

Post a note on your local community notice board

Supermarkets like Pak’nSave and New World and hardware stores like Bunnings, often have community noticeboards. Posting a quick message about your free concrete could help connect you with someone in your neighbourhood who needs material for a landscaping or DIY project. This can be a good low-effort, no-cost option — especially if you’re not in a rush to get the concrete removed from your property.

Reuse or repurpose it yourself

As mentioned earlier, there are a number of ways broken concrete can be repurposed —  especially in DIY landscaping projects. This is a fantastic way to save money while keeping waste out of landfill. Bear in mind that if you’re wanting to use broken concrete in your garden, it’s best to avoid painted or treated concrete that could be bad for your plants.

Here are a few ways you can recycle concrete at home:

• Use it in garden edging or borders. Smaller pieces are great for lining garden beds or paths
• Stepping stones or pavers. Create a DIY walkway using flat concrete chunks
• Retaining walls or raised beds. Stack larger pieces to build low retaining walls or planters
• Outdoor furniture. If you’re keen to get really creative, slabs of concrete can be used as bases for benches or as tabletops. Just make sure you reinforce your new furniture so it’s safe for use!

Drop your unwanted concrete off at a clean fill site or refuse station

Even though most councils across New Zealand don’t accept concrete waste through kerbside collections, there are still plenty of smart concrete disposal options available.

If you have the means to transport your waste, such as a trailer, truck or ute, taking it to a local clean fill site, refuse station or even a quarry can be a straightforward option. These facilities are set up to accept construction and demolition materials, often for free —  or at low prices — especially if the concrete is clean and not contaminated by chemicals.

Things to keep in mind:

• Some places will accept concrete for free. Others may charge a small per-tonne or per-load fee. For instance, Ward Demolition in Auckland starts their prices at $8 per tonne. It pays to shop around, especially if you have a large load!
   
• Most sites require concrete to be clean and free of contaminants. This means no paint, no chemicals, no excessive dirt and no reinforcement (e.g. rebar or mesh). If your concrete is painted, contains metal or has other materials mixed in, it could be rejected, or the disposal fee may be higher. For instance, Rock and Rubble sets different prices for different types of fill, with fill that includes materials like rebar being more expensive to tip
   
• Call ahead. Requirements vary from site to site, so it’s a good idea to check before you show up. If you have a particularly large load, some sites require  you to book in advance.

If you’re up to the task of hauling the concrete yourself (or you have a few friends willing to pitch in), dropping it off at a local facility can be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option. There are plenty of clean fill sites in NZ that prioritise concrete recycling and sustainable waste disposal, making it easier than ever to choose an option that’s both practical and kind to the planet.

Hire a skip bin for bulk concrete disposal

If you’re dealing with a large amount of concrete waste because you’ve just finished a major renovation project (like a driveway removal), ferrying it to a clean fill site or transfer station could take several trips. Concrete skip hire can be a convenient alternative, allowing you to manage everything one go.

Waste Management New Zealand, for example, offers a range of shallow skips bookable online that are perfect for sorting and recycling material like concrete, bricks and stones.

While this might not be the cheapest option, it’s one of the easiest, especially if you don’t have the means to haul the concrete yourself. Most companies will include drop off and pick up of the skip bin as part of their pricing package.

Here’s what to keep in mind when booking a skip bin for concrete debris removal:

• Know the size you need. Skip bins come in a range of sizes, with most suppliers offering specific bins for heavy materials like concrete. Be sure to let your provider know you’re dealing with concrete so they can recommend the best option for you
   
• Clean is best. Like other disposal methods, the cleaner your concrete is the easier and cheaper it is to offload. Don’t be tempted to mix other materials like green waste, timber or plastic in. This may land you with higher fees, or your load could be rejected altogether
   
• Keep weight limits in mind. Concrete is heavy. Even a small volume can quickly exceed weight limits of standard skip bins. Make sure to check the max weight allowed and stick to it!
   
• Check whether you need a permit for kerbside use. If you plan to put the skip bin on your berm, you might need a permit (as this is technically public land). Be sure to check this in advance

Hire a professional for concrete rubble removal

Want an easier option? Eazy Peazy has you covered!

When it comes to concrete rubbish removal, sometimes the best move is to leave it to the professionals. Broken concrete is heavy, awkward to move and can post a serious risk of injury if handled without the right tools or experience.

If you’re keen to save time, protect your joints (and back!), and ensure your concrete waste is disposed of responsibly, hiring a tasker via Ezy Peazy is a great option

With Ezy Peazy, it's quick and painless to find trusted local taskers who specialise in affordable concrete removal, wherever you are in the country.

All you need to do is post a task on our user-friendly platform, then sit back and relax while you wait for offers from skilled locals to roll in. You’ll be able to compare multiple quotes and browse transparent reviews to find the best person for the job.

The job you post is fully customizable. Need someone to break up the concrete for you first? No problem! They can take care of everything end-to-end, from demolition through to hauling your concrete away.

Why use Ezy Peazy for your concrete removal job?

Ezy Peazy offers an affordable alternative to options like skip bins or booking a waste removal company. You only pay for the time and effort you actually need,  making it an ideal option for small-to-medium jobs. Plus, your payment is held securely until your job is complete and you’re 100% happy with the result.

And best of all, reliable taskers for concrete disposal are available near you:

• Concrete disposal in Auckland
• Concrete disposal in Wellington
• Concrete disposal in Christchurch

Ready to get rid of your unwanted concrete? Post a job on Ezy Peazy today and let us handle the rest!

What’s the most affordable option?

When it comes to concrete waste disposal in NZ, the best choice really depends on your priorities – whether that’s saving money, time, or your back! 

Here’s a quick rundown of the most cost-effective options:

Best low effort option: hire a tasker through Ezy Peazy

Short on time, don’t have the means to transport concrete waste to a transfer station, or don’t want to deal with heavy lifting? Hiring a local tasker via Ezy Peazy is the way to go. It’s a low-stress, affordable solution for everything from concrete debris removal to full demolition. Get multiple quotes, pick the one that suits you and leave the hard work to someone else.

Best no-cost option: give it away online

TradeMe, Facebook Marketplace and Neighbourly all make it easy to list your concrete rubble for free. Lots of people are on the lookout for leftover materials to use in landscaping or building projects, so you might be surprised at how quickly it disappears! It could take a bit more time and effort to coordinate pick-up, but your wallet will thank you.

Best for DIYers: reuse it in your own backyard

Like gardening? Got a creative streak? Repurposing your broken concrete at home is a fantastic way to save money and space in landfill. Use it for garden edging, stepping stones, retaining walls or even unique outdoor furniture. It’ll take you some effort, but the results can be surprisingly satisfying (and sustainable!)

About Ezy Peazy

Since 2019, Ezy Peazy has been connecting Kiwis with skilled taskers across the country to help them get virtually any job done. E-waste disposal, moving house, landscaping —  you name it!  Ezy Peazy makes it simple and straightforward to find reliable, local help for anything you need. With transparent reviews, competitive pricing, and a user-friendly experience, Ezy Peazy is transforming the way Kiwis get things done.