Concrete crushing is the on-site processing of demolition concrete — breaking down rubble into recycled aggregate that can be reused as sub-base, road stone, or fill material. Rather than loading, hauling, and disposing of concrete arisings at significant cost, crushing converts waste into a usable material that can often be redeployed on the same site.

How On-Site Concrete Crushing Works

After demolition, concrete arisings are gathered by excavator and fed into a mobile crusher — typically a jaw crusher for initial processing or an impact crusher for finer output. Steel reinforcement is separated via an electromagnetic conveyor and set aside for scrap. The processed aggregate is graded and stockpiled for use as sub-base (Type 1 crushed concrete) or granular fill.

All on-site crushing operations must be carried out under an appropriate Environment Agency exemption or permit. Jim Wise Demolition holds the relevant registrations and ensures all crushing operations comply with the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

What Does Crushed Concrete Become?

• Type 1 recycled aggregate — used as sub-base for roads, hardstandings, and car parks
• Granular fill — used for backfilling excavations and trench reinstatement
• Drainage aggregate — larger grade material for French drains and soakaways
• Capping layer — used under Type 1 on weaker ground conditions

Cost Savings vs Haulage and Disposal

On a large-scale industrial demolition or site clearance, concrete crushing can deliver substantial savings. Consider a project generating 500 tonnes of concrete:

• Haulage and disposal at a licensed facility: £25–£45 per tonne = £12,500–£22,500
• On-site crushing, including plant mobilisation: typically £8–£18 per tonne
• Value of recycled aggregate produced (if used on-site): saves additional material purchase

The economics are most favourable on large sites where the aggregate can be reused locally, or where disposal distance is significant. Contact us to assess whether crushing is viable on your project.

Environmental and Sustainability Benefits

Concrete crushing is central to Jim Wise Demolition's commitment to sustainable demolition. We divert 96% of all demolition waste from landfill, and on-site crushing is one of the key tools that makes that possible. Reusing crushed concrete eliminates the need for virgin quarried aggregate, reducing the embodied carbon of your development. For more information on our concrete crushing service, call 0800 222 9772.