So it's an ancient CMU built 30,000SFT structure being considered for demo. One idea is to avoid the pricey disposal cost of the mostly CMU structure by grinding it up on site and using it for drainage gravel, etc. The CMU walls are essentially bare, no cladding, etc. So it's pretty much CMU+windows+doors+roof. It seems to us you could easily separate the CMU out and grind it up. Never seen or heard of this done though. But it saves disposal, provides 'free' gravel, and is uber-eco. - possible? - equipment? -cost? - crazy talk?

I too am interested in such a scenario, only my situation is footings, stem wall, and slabs. I know there are portable crushing plants but the ones I see are huge and probably not cost effective on a small residential demo. Seems that even trucking the concrete/CMU to a crushing facility and getting some type of gravel product credit would be better than sending it to a landfill. Can't seem to find one in my neck though. Anybody have any experience with this?

check around. It might surprise you how cost effective it is to site treat material. Our local concrete batch plant regularly has a crusher in to recycle their left overs.

I just read and article on a group in GA grinding wood and gypsum construction waste to use in place of gravel on site.  They were saving a couple hundred dollars a site.

 

Can't remember where I read it just now, but I'll come back and post when I remember it.

I like it, I always find this scenario. Thanks fro sharing here.

Many companies now specialize in recycling concrete for aggregate or gravel. Asphalt (millings) for road base or reintroduced as paving aggregate, all types of steel which is very recycleable and wood trees into mulch.

http://www.pawcompanies.com/pawmate...ushing.asp