G. Fedale Roof Recycling Program

Every year, an estimated 9 million tons (8 million metric tons) to 10 million tons (9 million metric tons) of asphalt roofing waste are sent to U.S. landfills with a price tag of more than $400 million in disposal fees. But most waste from roofing shingles and roll goods can be economically and effectively recycled into asphalt pavement for roads and highways. And with promising technological advances and economic feasibility, the potential of asphalt reclamation is limitless. To help the asphalt recycling effort, G. Fedale Roofing and Siding, the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) and other industrial and manufacturing organizations, such as the Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA), National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), Asphalt Emulsions Manufacturers Association, and Asphalt Recycling and Reclaiming Association (ARRA), aggressively are promoting waste-reduction and recycling programs.

Technology
Coupled with the increase of industry professionals' knowledge of and involvement with recycling programs is the improvement of recycling technology. A noteworthy advancement is the improved ability to separate and grind asphalt shingles into paving feedstock and develop an appropriate mix design. Shingles' asphalt contents chemically match the primary ingredients of hot-mix asphalt used in paving. However, shingles are harder than paving asphalt. Special corrective measures, therefore, are required to change shingles into hot-mix asphalt, including a higher temperature to combine harder recycled shingles into a hot-mix formulation. Mixing shingles and paving asphalt can increase pavements' resistance to wear and moisture and decrease rutting and thermal and fatigue cracking. Many paving experts believe mix designs using 5 percent recycled shingles (by weight) are suitable for interstate highways. On low-volume roads, such as driveways and industrial parking lots, 10 percent to 15 percent recycled shingles can be used.

What's in it for me?
"Why should I recycle?" The benefits of recycling include the positive effect on the environment and communities, as well as good business practice. The roofing industry only will continue to improve through implementation of such initiatives.

Recycling information
For additional recycling information, contact the following organizations:

Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA)
(301) 348-2002
www.asphaltroofing.org

Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA)
(630) 548-4510
www.cdrecycling.org

National Asphalt Pavement Association
(301) 731-4748
www.hotmix.org

NRCA
(847) 299-9070
www.nrca.net