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.
Getting the Finish Right on Burnished CMU
July 2026

The wall is complete. The lines are crisp. The coursing is tight, and the burnished CMU delivers exactly the refined appearance the design team envisioned. After weeks of coordination and careful installation, the project is final

Argo Community High School Performing Arts Center
July 2026

Argo Community High School is located in Summit, Illinois, just southwest of Chicago’s Midway Airport. In 2016, the Argo Community High School Board of Education and the school’s administration undertook the construction of a new performing

Masonry as the Standard: Delivering Strength, Durability, and Permanence at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs
July 2026

The replacement of First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs serves as a clear example of masonry’s ability to deliver long-term durability, structural integrity, and architectural permanence in worship facility construction. Following the tragic events

Designing Masonry Openings Without Compromising Aesthetics
July 2026

One of masonry's greatest strengths is its ability to create visually striking architecture. From arches and deep reveals to decorative brick detailing, masonry provides texture, depth, and character that continue to inspire architects today. As buildin