Recycling Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles have been a main roofing option since 1893 and asphalt itself has been used since the days of ancient Babylon. It is made from felt which is coated with asphalt and topped off with a layer of crushed glass. Asphalt shingles have a life span of about 25 years. So, what happens to all of the millions of shingles that are replaced every year?

These recycled shingles actually have a positive impact on the environment. The shingles are used in the manufacture of hot mix asphalt, the asphalt that is used to pave roads, driveways and parking lots and other non road use. Using asphalt shingles actually makes a stronger product than using plain asphalt because of the fibers that are used in the manufacture of shingles.

The fibers also make a strong asphalt cold patch-asphalt that is used to fill in potholes. It's long lasting and easy to apply.

The recycled shingles also make an impact on rural, unpaved roads. The shingles are ground up and mixed with gravel which is spread on dirt roads. The mixture holds down dust and noise and solves a problem that gravel along has, the tendency to roll off the road and into the side ditches.

Old asphalt shingles are melted down to make new asphalt shingles. So the new shingles you are putting on could contain some of the old shingles you took off. Even with all of the new shingle products on the market, asphalt shingles still make up 2/3 of the shingle market in the United States.

Homeowners and contractors also have the option to donate used shingles to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.

The United States is behind Europe in recycling asphalt shingles, but recycling is becoming evermore important. Recycling means that every year millions of tons of asphalt shingles are put to good use instead of being dumped in the nation's landfills. Products made with recycled shingles cost less to make and contractors get to save because they do not have to pay disposal fees.

One of the most important reasons to recycle involves the dangers in disposing of the shingles. Burning the shingles, which are made from petroleum products, would cause a health hazard.

Still, obstacles exist that impede the recycling process. The most serious one is the fact that in the 60's and 70's, asbestos was an ingredient in some asphalt shingles, which means every batch of shingles sent to be recycled has to be tested for asbestos before it can be processed. Another problem is that each state has different regulations regarding the use of recycled materials in non road uses. Some plants outright do not want the shingles and some plants are old and not able to handle them.

These problems will have to be dealt with, considering the huge amount of used asphalt shingles that are generated each year.

Sources:

Shingle Recycling

Northeast Recycling Council