Recycling has become an integral part of construction, but recycling asphalt shingles can be more difficult than recycling metal, wood or even concrete.
My first exposure to the concept of recycling asphalt shingles goes back to the late 1970s, when a fellow named Joe set up a shingle-recycling business in South Florida.
Launched in 2009, the Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt Shingle Recycling Program was the first initiative of its kind in the roofing industry to bring together homeowners and contractors committed to reducing the amount of shingle waste that ends up in local landfills.
Growing homeowner interest in sustainable building solutions — including products and their afterlife — presents a number of business opportunities for contractors.
For contractors wanting to get more involved in recycling, maybe it’s time to go back to school to learn just how effective modern recycling and reuse programs can be.
Sustainable roofing systems can be many things, but primarily they are assemblies that provide a covering protecting a building from the elements (i.e., water, sun, cold, and heat) while minimizing their burden on the environment and conserving energy.