Question 1

How much does a cubic metre of rubble weigh?

Accepted Answer

Broken brick and concrete rubble runs 1.4 to 1.6 tonnes per cubic metre. Wet as-dug London clay is heavier at 1.5 to 2.0 tonnes. That is more than the legal payload of most Luton vans or 3.5-tonne tippers.

Question 2

How many bulk bags fit in a van?

Accepted Answer

About one bag of rubble. A bulk bag holds roughly 0.75 cubic metres — that is 1.0 to 1.2 tonnes of concrete or brick, which already reaches the payload limit of a Luton van or 3.5-tonne tipper. A 7.5-tonne tipper takes around three bags.

Question 3

Can I put rubble in a skip?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but skips have a payload limit by weight, not just volume. A skip that looks half empty can already be at its limit. Many skip firms restrict rubble to smaller sizes (4yd or less) and some charge a surcharge for heavy material. Check with the supplier before ordering.

Question 4

What is the difference between rubble and construction waste?

Accepted Answer

Rubble is inert waste — brick, block, concrete, hardcore, paving, ceramic tile, as-dug soil. It goes to a cheaper inert facility. Construction waste is mixed — timber, plasterboard, insulation, packaging — and costs more to dispose of. Keeping streams separate is the single biggest lever on disposal price.

Material	Approx. tonnes per m³
Broken brick / concrete rubble	1.4–1.6
As-dug soil and London clay (wet)	1.5–2.0
Dry topsoil	1.2–1.4
Sand / ballast	1.5–1.7
Tiles / paving slabs	1.3–1.5
Hardcore / MOT Type 1	1.4–1.8
Mixed light construction waste	0.3–0.5

Container / vehicle	Volume	Rubble payload
Bulk (tonne) bag	≈ 0.75 m³	1.0–1.2 t
Builders barrow	≈ 65 litres	0.08–0.10 t
Luton van	≈ 16 m³	1.0–1.2 t payload
3.5t tipper	≈ 4 m³	1.0–1.2 t payload
7.5t tipper	≈ 8 m³	3.0–3.5 t payload
8-wheel grab lorry	≈ 12 m³	14–16 t
4yd builder's skip	≈ 3 m³	Weight limit usually reached before volume

Rubble Weight Calculator

Material weights at a glance

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