How heavy is brick rubble per cubic metre?

Brick rubble weighs approximately 1,800 kg per cubic metre (1.8 tonnes). However, broken rubble takes up about 40% more volume than the solid wall due to air voids between pieces. So 1 m³ of solid brick wall produces approximately 1.4 m³ of rubble but still weighs the same ~1.8 tonnes.

What is the bulking factor for rubble?

The bulking factor is approximately 1.4 for demolished wall rubble, meaning the rubble volume is about 40% larger than the original solid wall. This is because broken pieces do not stack neatly and have air gaps between them. Always account for this when sizing a skip or ordering bulk bags.

Can I put rubble in a normal skip?

Yes, but heavy rubble like brick and concrete should go in smaller skips (mini or midi) rather than being filled to the top of a large skip. Skips have weight limits (typically 4-8 tonnes) as well as volume limits. A builder's skip filled entirely with brick rubble would weigh approximately 8 tonnes which may exceed the weight limit. Most skip companies will advise on the maximum fill level for heavy materials.

What is a bulk bag and how much can it hold?

A bulk bag (also called a builder's bag, ton bag, or FIBC) is a large polypropylene bag that holds approximately 0.7 m³ of material with a safe working load of up to 1 tonne. They are useful for removing rubble from sites without skip access. Many waste companies will deliver and collect filled bulk bags.

Can brick rubble be recycled?

Yes. Clean brick rubble can be crushed and used as hardcore or sub-base material (6F2 grade). Many recycling centres accept brick and concrete rubble and it attracts the lower rate of Landfill Tax (currently £3.25 per tonne for inert waste vs £102.10 per tonne for standard rate). Recycling rubble can significantly reduce disposal costs.

TradeCalcs

Rubble Removal Calculator — How Much Does My Demolition Waste Weigh?

Calculate the volume and weight of rubble from wall demolition. Get skip size recommendations and bulk bag quantities for brick, block, concrete and mixed demolition waste.

Wall Length

Length of each wall

Wall Height

Height of each wall

Wall Thickness

Material Type

Number of Walls

How We Calculate This

This calculator estimates the volume and weight of rubble produced from demolishing walls, and recommends an appropriate skip size or number of bulk bags for removal.

Calculation Steps

Wall area = length x height x number of walls
Solid volume = wall area x wall thickness
Rubble volume = solid volume x 1.4 (bulking factor)
Weight = solid volume x material density

Material Densities

Brick rubble: ~1,800 kg/m³
Block rubble: ~1,400 kg/m³
Concrete rubble: ~2,200 kg/m³
Mixed rubble: ~1,600 kg/m³

Skip Sizes

Mini (2-yard): 1.5 m³
Midi (4-yard): 3.0 m³
Builder's (6-yard): 4.6 m³
Maxi (8-yard): 6.1 m³
Large (12-yard): 9.2 m³

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Verify with your supplier.