Rather than sending leftover or replaced roofing materials to landfills, more and more roofing contractors and homeowners are opting for recycling. The recycling of shingles is the process of collecting asphalt shingles from roof removals in order to use in other products.
Recycled roofing products
The number one use of recycled asphalt shingles is in the pavement used to build roads. Rather than using newly mined asphalt, pavement can be produced from recycled asphalt shingles. This in turn reduces the cost of paving projects when recycled asphalt is used. An average-sized home’s recycled shingles can pave up to 200 feet of a two-lane highway. Other potential uses are still under research.
Benefits of Roofing Recycling
As already mentioned, the main benefit of recycling asphalt shingles is to prevent these materials from ending up in landfills. This contribution from homeowners and contractors leaves a positive mark on the environment. Creating products out of recycled asphalt, like pavement, saves money. Plants that recycle materials like asphalt create new jobs overall assisting the economy in the surrounding areas.
Recycling Asphalt Shingles
If you have the desire to recycle your roofing materials during a tear-off, first check with your roofing contractor to see if this is an option. Some contractors do not offer this service or are not able to because their area does not have a shingle recycling facility nearby. Once you have decided to recycle, you will need to find a recycler to take your materials. Roof recycler resources include shinglerecycling.org or earth911.com. Using one of these resources will ensure you are using a legitimate recycling center.
Once you have found a recycler, check to ensure your current type of shingles can indeed be recycled. Recycling centers will either provide with a container at your home during the construction process or it will be the responsibility of your contractor to transport the recyclable materials to the center on your behalf. This typically involves the same process as it would be transferring the debris to a landfill.
During the roof tear-off process shingles will need to be clean of debris, such as nails, as much as possible. Most recycling centers have specific protocols on what is allowed and what is not, so call ahead before delivering.
Cost of Roofing Recycling
The cost of roofing recycling varies by the recycling center you use. In some cases, recycling may even be free. Recycling is almost always cheaper than landfilling which costs are rising as the landfills continue to fill up.
If you are interested in recycling your roofing materials after a tear-off, contact EMA Construction’s qualified roofers for more information in the greater Cincinnati area.