Recycling Asphalt Roofing Shingles

Each year, about 11 million tons (11.2 tonnes) of asphalt roofing shingle waste is generated in the U.S.—7 to 10 million tons (7.1 to 10.2 tonnes) in tear-off and 1 million in manufacturer scrap.

Nearly two-thirds of all roofs, both new and existing, are clad in asphalt shingles. The potential uses of recycled shingles—road base, hot mix asphalt component, cold patch, fuel oil/fuel substitute for coal, press-block pavers—could easily consume all the material. There have been, however, long-standing technical hurdles to recycling. Fortunately, these are being solved.