What happens to old Asphalt Shingles?
Perhaps you have wondered what happens to old asphalt roofing shingles after a roof is replaced? With so many roofs being replaced nationwide each year, shingles have to end up somewhere right?
For decades, old asphalt shingles were simply taken to the nearest landfill. However, in recent years, recycling these materials has been a growing trend among contractors. In fact, some states have banned the disposal of asphalt shingles in their landfills.
How it Works
During a roof replacement, contractors remove the existing roof, including the asphalt shingles, which is usually called a “tear-off”.
What happens to all this “stuff” once it leaves a home?
The process varies a little from contractor-to-contractor but generally, the existing material and debris will be collected in a designated container on site. Once the roof replacement is complete, the roofing team will do one of two things:
- Separate the materials in the container into recyclable and non-recyclable materials before transportation to a recycling center
- Transport the unsorted container to a recycling center
Some recycling centers charge a fee for these services. Typically, this charge will be less than what a homeowner or contractor would pay to dump these materials in a landfill!
The recycling center will then start the process of transforming the waste materials from the roof replacement into useful recycled materials by grinding the shingles into various sized pieces depending on their new intended use.
How Recycled Asphalt Shingles are Used
There are a wide variety of applications that recycled shingles can be used in. Most commonly, recycled asphalt shingles are used to make roads (cool right?). This added material can actually improve the quality of the finished pavement. Other uses for recycled shingles include:
- Patching material for roads, ramps, parking lots, and sidewalks
- New asphalt shingles
- Production of fuel oil
- Dust and erosion control for construction sites or unpaved roads
Benefits of Recycling Old Asphalt Shingles
Considering a professional roof replacement will generate anywhere from 1 – 3 tons of material removed during tear-off, and there is an estimated 10 million tons generated each year, finding a better way to deal with these old shingles is incredibly important. There are a huge number of benefits to recycling old asphalt shingles.
Most importantly, recyclers are helping the environment! By giving asphalt shingles a chance to be re-purposed, the nation is helping to create jobs for recycling locations, reduce total costs for paving, and decrease the nation’s dependence on oil, which is a non-renewable resource.
It’s even been said that by recycling 1 ton of old asphalt shingles we are reducing the need for oil by 2 barrels? What could be better?
Elevated Roofing provides the assistance you need to repair roofing problems quickly and easily or provide full roof replacement. If you are looking for a North Dallas Area Roofing Company, take a look at our website to learn about the services we offer or call (469) 305-0010 today to schedule a free consultation or roof inspection.
Elevated Roofing, LLC
15222 King Road, Suite 402
Frisco, Texas 75034
469-305-0010
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