So you’ve just upgraded to a quality metal roof, but what should you do with all of your leftover asphalt shingles? Good news, asphalt shingles are a common roofing material that can be easily recycled. It is possible to divert shingles from the waste stream and convert them into asphalt pavement for our roads and highways.

Roofing waste generated by roofing manufacturers and roof tear-offs accounts for approximately 11 million tons of waste per year in the United States. However, this 11 million tons is over eight percent of the entire yearly building and demolition-related garbage generated in the United States. Asphalt shingles, the most commonly used roofing material in the United States, account for approximately 8.8 million tons of the total 11 million tons of garbage generated.

As a result of the fact that asphalt shingles can take up to 300 years to degrade completely and the large volume of asphalt shingle debris produced, it is critical that businesses and consumers are aware of feasible asphalt shingle recycling techniques. This makes it important to learn how to recycle asphalt shingles: 

The Properties of Asphalt and the Disposal of Shingles

The Asphalt Shingle Recycling Process involves removing old shingles from the asphalt roof. Kinematics in general

To make asphalt shingles, organic materials (such as paper, cellulose, and wood) or fiberglass sheets are coated with asphalt, along with a layer of sand, glass, or ceramic granules, which are added to increase the durability of the shingles. Despite the fact that organic asphalt shingle roofs can last anywhere from 20 to 40 years, conventional roof warranties are only 15 to 25 years in length. Complete roof replacements are therefore necessary more frequently than the anticipated lifespan of the shingles. In addition, more expensive fiberglass asphalt shingles can survive for up to 50 years, depending on the climate.

When asphalt shingle roofs require replacement due to substantial wind damage, aging, leaks, or water damage, they are frequently found to be well below their general life expectancy. If asphalt shingles are not disposed of or recycled sustainably, the reduction in time spent and the rise in the number of shingle products required can result in waste management complications.

The Advantages of Asphalt Shingle Recycling

Asphalt, which is a viscous, petroleum-based product (and, as such, a nonrenewable resource), is an excellent roofing material because it is durable and water-resistant – characteristics that make it effective at protecting homes from weather-related damage. Asphalt is available in a variety of colors and textures. But the same material features that make asphalt a terrific roofing material also make asphalt shingle trash an issue if it is not managed and disposed of appropriately.

However, recycling asphalt shingles is about more than simply keeping these shingles out of landfills. It is also about saving money on energy costs. It is possible to lower the cost of fixing potholes and repaving roads by utilizing recycled asphalt, which will assist to reduce the burden of road-maintenance costs on taxpayers. Furthermore, shingle recycling generates employment opportunities in communities around North America.

Process for Recycling Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt roofing shingles that have been abandoned are recycled in the Asphalt Shingle Recycling Process. Kinematics in general

When it comes to asphalt shingle recycling, the procedure mainly entails turning the shingles into an additive for hot-mix asphalt (HMA) or cold patch, which is used to replace gaps and potholes in roadways. As part of the process of recycling roofing trash, after it has been processed to eliminate non-asphalt elements, the shingles are ground into smaller particles in accordance with state and municipal laws using asphalt shingle grinders, which are specially built to handle the abrasive material.

In most cases, the shingles are ground into pieces ranging from 0.25 to 2.00 inches in size, depending on their intended use after recycling. When it comes to the base stabilization course, which is the lower layer of paving, larger particles are utilized; however, smaller, finer particles are used in the surface course, which is the top layer of paving. A typical HMA can contain up to five percent recycled shingles (by weight), with the remaining weight consisting primarily of softer asphalts to compensate for the hardness of the asphalt shingles used in the construction process.