Key Takeaways
Brick disposal is easier when you sort reusable material first, plan for the weight, and confirm the rules before booking. A little preparation saves extra trips and prevents loading problems.
- Keep clean, usable bricks aside for reuse, sale, or donation.
- Check facility rules and fees before arranging a drop-off.
- Choose a bin based on both volume and weight limits.
- Wear protective gear and control dust while removing bricks.
- Confirm the bin size, placement, rental period, and pickup details before booking.
Need old bricks gone fast? Call 613-894-2467 and tell us what you’re removing. We’ll confirm the right bin before delivery.
What Counts as Brick Waste (and Why It Can’t Go in Regular Garbage)
Brick waste includes whole or broken bricks removed from a wall, patio, walkway, chimney, or planter. It often includes some attached mortar. Bricks are dense, so even a modest pile weighs far more than it looks.
Household garbage collection isn’t designed for heavy construction debris. Bricks can exceed container weight limits, damage collection equipment, and create unsafe handling conditions. Before setting any bricks out, read the City’s collection rules instead of assuming a small quantity will be taken.
Condition matters. Clean, intact bricks have value to someone else, while broken or mortar-covered pieces usually need a construction-material drop-off or a bin. If your load also includes other masonry or mixed renovation waste, read our guide to construction debris removal before you book.
Brick Disposal Options: Reuse, Drop-Off or Bin Rental
You have three realistic routes for old bricks: give them a second life, haul them yourself, or have a bin delivered. The right choice depends on the condition of the bricks, the size of the pile, and how much lifting you want to do.
Reuse, Sell or Donate Clean Bricks
If the bricks are intact and reasonably clean, set them aside before demolition debris gets mixed in. A tidy stack is much easier for a buyer, neighbour, community group, or salvage yard to assess than a mortar-covered pile. Take a few clear photos and note the approximate quantity so interested people can decide quickly.
Reuse isn’t guaranteed. You’ll need space to store the bricks while you find a taker, and most recipients expect to collect them. Keeping the usable bricks separate also shrinks the load you still have to dispose of.
Landfill Drop-Off: Repeat Trips, Fees and Weight Limits
Taking bricks to a disposal or construction-material facility can work for a small load. Facilities set their own accepted materials, hours, fees, and vehicle limits, so call first. Our City of Ottawa waste management guide explains how the City’s rules work and what to check before you load your vehicle.
The practical question isn’t whether the bricks fit in your truck. It’s whether the load is safe to transport and within the facility’s limits. Every extra trip adds fuel, time, and unloading effort. If the pile is large, compare that effort with having a bin delivered to your driveway and collected when you’re done.
Why a Dumpster Bin Is the Easiest Way to Dispose of Large Brick Loads
A bin keeps heavy debris in one place while you work. You skip the repeated loading and unloading of your own vehicle, and the bricks are ready for pickup when the job is finished. We deliver Monday to Saturday, typically within 24 to 48 hours of your order. Not sure your job fits? Contact us or call 613-894-2467, and we’ll confirm brick acceptance and weight limits before we deliver.
Bricks take up less space than they weigh, so weight becomes the limiting factor before the bin looks full. Give us an honest description of the pile, including mortar and any other debris, and we’ll point you to the right bin.
Choosing Between a 5 Yard and 10 Yard Heavy-Material Bin
Our 5 yard bin is $375 for 3 days and our 10 yard bin is $450 for 3 days, plus HST. Both are built for soil, concrete, and clean fill, which makes them our heavy-material bins. Need something larger for a bigger renovation? See our Ottawa container rental sizes guide.
| 5 yard bin | 10 yard bin | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $375 for 3 days + HST | $450 for 3 days + HST |
| Accepts | Soil, concrete, clean fill | Soil, concrete, clean fill |
| Best for | Small patio, walkway, or planter removal | Chimney teardown, larger patio, or brick wall |
| Extra weight | $0.16/kg over your included allowance | $0.16/kg over your included allowance |
How Heavy Is Brick? Weight, Overage Charges and What You’ll Pay
A standard brick weighs about 4.5 to 5 lb, so one tonne is roughly 440 to 490 bricks. Brick type, moisture, attached mortar, and other debris all push the final number up. That’s why a bin can hit its weight limit while it still looks half empty.
Here’s how that works out on two common jobs. These are rough estimates, not a quote:
- A 10 ft by 10 ft brick patio: about 100 sq ft at roughly 4.5 pavers per sq ft is around 450 bricks, close to 1 tonne.
- A 10 ft long, 3 ft high single-layer brick wall: about 30 sq ft at roughly 6.75 bricks per sq ft is around 200 bricks, or 900 to 1,000 lb before mortar.
Disposal is weighed, and weight over your included allowance is billed at $0.16/kg, which is about $160 per extra tonne. See our pricing page for full fees. Overfilled bins may not be picked up, so stop loading when you reach the weight limit, even if there’s room left.
How to Remove and Load Old Bricks Safely
Removing bricks means lifting, sharp edges, loose mortar, and dust. Clear a stable work area first and decide where reusable bricks and disposal bricks will go. Carry loads you can handle securely instead of rushing with an awkward stack.
Safety Gear and Silica Dust Precautions
Wear sturdy gloves, protective footwear, and eye protection when handling bricks or breaking mortar. Dust from masonry work can contain silica, a hazard covered in the Ontario Ministry of Labour’s silica guidance for construction projects, so avoid creating dust clouds and keep people away from the work area. Use dust control and respiratory protection suited to the task, and consult a qualified professional if the work is extensive.
Never sweep dry dust into the air. Inspect each brick before lifting, because cracked pieces can break apart in your hands. If you find something that may be hazardous, stop and get advice before it goes into the bin. Asbestos, liquid paint, batteries, and propane tanks can never go in our bins.
Loading Tips to Avoid an Overweight Bin
Load steadily and keep the material inside the bin’s rules and weight limit. Don’t drop bricks from a height, and never climb into the bin to rearrange a heavy load.
- Carry manageable amounts and use a cart or wheelbarrow on a stable route.
- Spread bricks across the bin floor instead of piling them in one corner.
- Keep the load below the fill line and don’t pile bricks above the sides.
- Stop at the weight limit, even if space remains.
Check the load as you go, especially if mortar or other dense material is included. If you’re close to the limit, call us before adding more. For more ways to avoid surprise charges, read our tips on common dumpster rental mistakes.
How to Book a Brick Disposal Bin in Ottawa
Start by estimating how much brick you’re removing, whether it’s clean or mortar-covered, and what else will go in the bin. Then tell us the size of the job and we’ll recommend the 5 or 10 yard bin. We deliver across Ottawa, including Orleans, Barrhaven, Kanata and Nepean, Monday to Saturday.
Before delivery, think about where the bin will sit and whether the truck has clear access. Mention gates, narrow driveways, or overhead obstacles when you book. Keep the area around the bin clear, because blocked access can mean extra charges. Confirm your delivery date and pickup arrangements, and sort reusable bricks out before the bin arrives.
New to renting? Here’s how to rent a dumpster with us. Military, veterans, and frontline personnel get 10% off bin rentals (the discount doesn’t apply to extra weight). Request your brick disposal bin now or call 613-894-2467.
Brick Disposal FAQs
Can I put bricks in a regular garbage bin?
Usually not. Regular household bins aren’t built for heavy construction debris like bricks, and the weight can exceed collection limits. Use a bin or a facility that accepts masonry. For bulky renovation waste the City won’t collect, see our Ottawa bulk waste pickup guide.
Can bricks, mortar and concrete go in the same bin?
Yes. Brick, mortar, and concrete can share one heavy-material bin. Keep garbage, wood, and drywall out of it, because these bins are meant for clean heavy loads. Hazardous items such as asbestos and liquid paint are never allowed.
How long can I keep the bin?
Our 5 and 10 yard heavy-material bins are priced for a 3-day rental. If your project runs longer, call 613-894-2467 before the pickup date and we’ll arrange extra days for a daily fee.
Conclusion
With bricks, plan around weight as well as volume. Set aside clean pieces for reuse, check the rules for the rest, and confirm bin limits and fees before you load. Ready to clear the pile? Call 613-894-2467 and we’ll get a bin to your driveway.