How are shingles recycled?

The asphalt shingle recycling process usually involves the repurposing of shingles into an additive for hot-mix asphalt (HMA) or cold patch to fill cracks and potholes in roads. In most cases, the shingles are ground into 0.25–2.00-inch pieces, depending on their intended post-recycling purpose.

Do roofing shingles get recycled?

Roofing shingles can be recycled. Recycled material made from old roofing shingles can be used in a variety of applications.

How long does it take shingles to decompose?

It can take up to 300 years for asphalt shingles to completely decompose, so recycling is a great way to reduce waste.

Can you make money recycling shingles?

Asphalt shingle recycling is a component of construction and demolition recycling. At present, asphalt shingle recyclers can generate revenue in the form of tipping fees to accept old shingles (typically lower than at landfills), as well as through marketing activities to sell processed material.

Where do I go to Recycle my shingles?

You can also enter your ZIP code in Earth911 Recycling Search to find your best local option for shingle recycling. What do they make with recycled shingles?

How does CalRecycle keep track of shingle waste?

CalRecycle maintains archived information on its website as a record of its activities for use by the public and CalRecycle staff. As landfill availability decreases and tipping fees increase, solid waste generators are becoming more interested in finding alternative ways of managing shingle waste.

How many tons of asphalt shingles are recycled each year?

Approximately 11 million tons of waste asphalt roofing shingles are generated in the U.S. per year. Re-roofing jobs account for 10 million tons, with another 1 million from manufacturing scrap. California is estimated to generate 1.2 million tons per year, of which 1.1 million are tear-offs from re-roof jobs.