Every year, the United States averages 11 million tons in shingle waste, with around 8.8 million tons coming from the country’s most popular residential roofing material: asphalt shingles. It can take up to 300 years for asphalt shingles to completely decompose, so recycling is a great way to reduce waste.
The Recycling Process
The typical asphalt shingle recycling process usually flows like this:
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Asphalt shingles are separated from other roofing waste materials
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Asphalt shingles are ground into smaller particles. Just exactly how small will depend on local and state regulations, but larger particles go into base stabilization courses or the lower paving layers while the smaller, finer ones are used for surface courses or the top paving layers. To meet grade requirements, ground-up asphalt shingles may also be sieved.
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Ground shingles are added to mixtures for whatever purpose the shingles were being recycled. Usually, however, recycled shingles are used as additives to hot-mix asphalt or cold patch for filling potholes and cracks in roads. Other uses for recycled asphalt shingles include roofing products or for generating energy.
Benefits of Asphalt Shingle Recycling
Aside from limiting construction waste that find their way into landfills, asphalt shingle recycling helps reduce costs for road maintenance, easing the burden on taxpayers. It also creates jobs.
Green Roofing Strategies
Is a simple roof repair is no longer viable for your roofing project? Then, you’re due for a replacement. Worried about the waste it’ll produce? Work with a GAF Certified Green Roofer™ like Pressure Point Roofing Eugene, LLC, and you won’t have to! As part of the program, we pledge to recycle all the asphalt shingles we work it, helping keep asphalt shingle waste out of landfills.
Another way you can do your bit for the environment while attending to your roofing needs is to invest in top-quality asphalt shingles from leading brands in the industry. Not only will they be recyclable at the end of their service life, but your asphalt shingles will also last longer, limiting whatever waste you will produce down the line.
To learn more about roof maintenance, repair and replacement, just give Pressure Point Roofing Eugene, LLC., a call at (541) 393-8183, or fill out our online contact form. One of our experts will get back to you right away. We serve Springfield, OR, and nearby communities.