Concrete Trash to Cash

Words: Rolly Cox/Public/News/20110303060000-1.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="Atlas Block incorporates up to 36% post-consumer recycledmaterial in its concrete manufacturing process." />
Atlas Block incorporates up to 36% post-consumer recycledmaterial in its concrete manufacturing process.
Pat Tanner, owner of Tanner Excavating, encountered a dilemma when removing excessive concrete waste from his company’s job sites. Tanner was charged $10 per yard of construction trash at the local land fill, in addition to the cost of transporting the debris from the site to the landfill. He soon realized this was not a cost-effective way to run a business.

Tanner began transporting the debris to his farm, where he had plans to eventually dispose of it. In less than 12 months, the excessive concrete waste on Tanner’s property quickly grew from a small pile, to approximately 200 feet long by 25 feet wide and ten feet tall.

After researching various solutions, Tanner read about Multiquip’s EZ Grout Hog Crusher online. Multiquip quickly arranged for a demonstration at Tanner’s farm through its local dealer, Michigan CAT.

The EZ Grout Hog Crusher was able to compress large slabs and chunks of concrete, with the assistance of a mini-excavator, into a useable grade of fill. Within two hours, Tanner had approximately 12,000 lbs. of useable fill that he could now sell.

“In Michigan you are not permitted to create a dump site or landfill on your property; however storing for rescaling is allowed. As an owner of the EZ Grout Hog Crusher, I am in compliance with all of the disposal laws,” said Tanner. “I have literally turned my trash into cash, contributing to our company’s bottom line.”

The EZ Grout Hog Crusher Job Site Material Recycler was capable of pulverizing recyclable material in minutes, thus eliminating the need to have debris removed from Tanner’s various construction job sites. It was also capable of handling materials of different sizes and composed varying strengths of concrete.

The EZ Grout Hog Crusher provided a cost-effective, reliable and durable product that helped excavators perform their job faster and easier. It has also saved tens of thousands of dollars annually to Tanner Excavating from expensive disposal costs.
Is Contact with Wet Mortar or Grout Dangerous?
April 2026

In the world of masonry, few materials are as common as mortar and grout. Whether you are laying brick, concrete masonry units (CMU), or pouring grout into masonry walls, wet cement and mortar are constant companions. However, beneath their utility lies a

The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic