Demolition waste is the second-biggest cost on most jobs after labour. Here's where it actually goes in Sydney 2026 and how to keep the tip bill down.
Most homeowners are surprised by how much demolition waste actually ends up recycled rather than landfilled. The percentage matters because it directly drives the tip portion of your quote.
What Gets Recycled
- Clean concrete: crushed for road base, drainage layer, fill
- Brick: crushed for landscaping fill
- Steel: sold to scrap recyclers
- Clean timber: chipped for mulch or biomass
- Plasterboard: some recyclers reclaim gypsum
- Roof tiles: crushed or reused
What Doesn't Get Recycled
- Asbestos (sealed landfill only)
- Mixed C&D waste with contamination
- Insulation, carpet underlay, certain wall finishes
- Paint-contaminated timber
- Treated pine (limited recyclers)
Tip Fees Sydney 2026
- Clean concrete to crusher: $35–$70/t
- Mixed C&D to general tip: $190–$320/t
- Bonded asbestos (sealed and wrapped): $380–$700/t
- Friable asbestos: $700–$1,400/t
Why Segregation Saves Money
A 200 m² house can produce 60–120 tonnes of waste. Segregating clean concrete from mixed waste on the site can drop the tip portion of your bill by $4,000–$9,000 on a typical knockdown.
On-Site Crushing
On large jobs (1,000+ tonnes of concrete), mobilising a portable crusher can convert demolition spoil into reusable road base on site. It's not viable for residential work but it's standard for industrial jobs.
What the Quote Should Show
- Estimated total tonnage
- Expected diversion percentage
- Tip fee allocation
- Tip dockets provided post-job
Frequently Asked Questions
What's a typical diversion rate for Sydney residential demolition?
50–75% by weight when segregation is done on site. Inner-city jobs with poor access often run lower because there's no room to segregate.
Can I recycle the bricks from my house?
Yes — clean recycled bricks have resale value if the demolition is partly manual. Adds cost upfront but recovers in resale.
What does "tip dockets included" mean on a quote?
The contractor provides receipts from licensed disposal facilities. Important for council, certifier and insurance reasons.
Related Reading
- Demolition Cost Sydney 2026 — Complete Price Guide
- What's Included in a Sydney Demolition Quote
- Demolition Permit Cost NSW
Direct Demolition is a licensed Sydney demolition contractor (NSW Demolition Licence AD214611). Contact us or call 0451 117 275 for a free site inspection and fixed written quote.