How much of the asphalt shingles torn off of roofs is recycled?

Question

Old asphalt can be used to add to the mix of road asphalt and for other uses. How much is actually recycled, and what are the obstacles? Have you been successful in having your old shingles be recycled, instead of just having them hauled away to a landfill?

Answer 1

In Alberta, Canada I believe the recycle rate for asphalt shingles is extremely low.

I have worked in the waste industry for almost 8 years now and despite our having bylaws stating no asphalt shingles are to go into our landfills....I know a lot of them are.

They are hidden in bags and boxes and dumped with the rest.

I think the only way we can change this is to increase fines and actually levy them when needed. Also, education of what can be done with them, where, how and why it is important to do so.

When a large storm blew a lot of mine off my roof, I took them myself, to a landfill site that separates and sends recyclables to where they should go. I never knew they did this until I asked.

Answer 2

very Little most goes to a landfill. an easy way to change this is add surcharges to dumping and establish more collection centers. it will only be recycled if it becomes economically wise.

At my company we required our vender's switch packing material to only cardboard which goes into separate dumpsters for recycling. this reduced our waste disposal costs by 481% last year.