What Is Crushed Concrete?
People also call crushed concrete recycled concrete aggregate. They make it from broken pieces of demolition slabs, driveways, footings, and precast elements.
Workers screen and sort these materials into new aggregate sizes. The resulting material retains much of the original stone’s compressive strength while diverting tonnes of waste from landfill.
Engineers in Aotearoa now use crushed concrete for many purposes. Its physical properties are well known. They specify it for sub-bases, bulk fill, drainage layers, and blended asphalt mixes.
How Max Recycling Turns Waste into High-Value Aggregate
Working from our 5c Hailes Road, Whenuapai yard, Max Recycling diverts thousands of tonnes of demolition concrete from landfill each year. The journey from waste to premium aggregate follows five tightly controlled stages:
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Collection & Acceptance
Clean concrete arrives at the gate, or we place bulk bins and arrange tip-truck pickups across the greater Auckland region.
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Primary Sorting
A tracked excavator fitted with a hydraulic magnet lifts out steel reinforcement; ground crews hand-remove timber, plastics and gypsum to keep the feed stock pure.
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Primary Crushing
A heavy-duty jaw crusher breaks oversized chunks into a uniform feed that flows smoothly through the rest of the plant.
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Secondary Crushing & Screening
Impact crushers and triple-deck screens refine the material into consistent drainage chip, base metal and fines—ready for road bases, hardstands and back-fill.
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Quality Control
Routine on-site tests confirm gradation, density and cleanliness, ensuring every load is specification-ready the moment it leaves our yard.
Why Choose Crushed Concrete?
Lower landfill and tipping fees - Every tonne you recycle means one less tonne to pay to dump. Fewer truck trips reduce diesel costs and carbon fees.
Sustainability credentials - Re-using concrete helps reduce quarry extraction. It saves natural river gravels and lowers CO₂ emissions from long-distance transport.
Excellent drainage & compaction - Angular particles interlock tightly, resist rutting and shed surface water—ideal for driveways, hardstands and trench backfill.
How Much Does Crushed Concrete Cost?
Exact rates depend on volume, location and seasonal factors. For the latest figures, please refer to our Max Recycling price list.
Because the feedstock is diverted demolition material, recycled aggregate typically remains the most economical option while still meeting NZ performance standards.
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
Crushed concrete is not just a backup option. A strong material can lower costs and improve sustainability. It also keeps New Zealand’s important aggregates on the ground for projects that need them. By partnering with Max Recycling, you gain:
- Certified quality backed by independent lab tests.
- Reliable supply from Auckland’s largest dedicated hard-fill recycler.
- Expert advice on blend ratios, compaction targets and on-site crushing ROI.
Ready to make the switch?
Call 021 642 115 MAX RECYCLELING to get a free quote today.
Let’s turn yesterday’s concrete into tomorrow’s infrastructure—one truckload at a time.