3R Recycling

What is asphalt shingle recycling?

It is becoming very common for shingles to be recycled versus being sent to a landfill. Shingle recycling is the process of taking asphalt shingles from roof tear-offs and collecting them for reuse into another product, ensuring the material does not end up in landfill.

 

What are the benefits of asphalt shingle recycling?

Shingle recycling is very cost competitive, convenient where available, and saves valuable resources from being sent to landfill. Recycled resources are most commonly reused in pavement, which offsets the need for newly mined asphalt and aggregate, and additional uses are being explored. Asphalt shingle recycling can create jobs for recycling locations and reduce costs for paving. Recycling shingles also allows homeowners to feel good knowing their used shingles aren’t ending up in a landfill.

 

What do recyclers make recycled asphalt shingles into?

The #1 use of recycled shingles is to make roads! Ground-up shingles are typically added up to 5% to pavement and in many cases actually improve the quality of pavement. Other uses have included input to making roofing products, cement kiln fuel, and road maintenance products. 

 

Do roofing contractors or do-it-yourselfers have to separate material as it is removed from the roof?

Whether it is necessary to separate materials is specific to each recycler and varies from only shingles being allowed to it being acceptable to have all materials mixed together. Call ahead to your recycler before your first drop to determine what your recycler allows. Generally it’s like laundry – separate darks and lights. Shingles, felt and nails can be grouped together (and it is recommended to put a lumber wrap or tarp over that), and then put other jobsite debris like valley tin, cardboard & wood on top or in front, so it’s easy to separate out from the shingle materials and can be recycled too.

 

What about nails?

You don’t have to pull out nails – they are separated by powerful magnets on the shingle grinder, and get recycled too! How much does recycling cost?Recycling cost varies. It is almost always cheaper than landfilling and can often be made even less expensive if you separate materials properly. In some cases recycling is free.

 

How much does a typical roof weigh?

Most roofs weigh 3-4 tons.

 

I don’t want a roll-off can in my yard. Will recyclers work with dump trailers?

Most recyclers are pretty flexible – give them a call.