Which Roofing Materials Can Be Recycled?

Choosing Roofing Materials Based On How Recyclable They Are

Many homeowners today want to incorporate sustainable building practices, including new roofing materials. When choosing a new roofing material, the most important considerations are to find a material that will last for the duration of your home's lifetime and can be recycled at the end of its life when you replace your roof. There are a few recyclable roofing materials you could choose from.

Asphalt shingles

Asphalt shingles has be repurposed after removal. In fact, many new shingles contain recycled materials.

This is what happens to your asphalt roof when you recycle it:

• Asphalt pavement: a mixture of asphalt, gravel, and sand are used in the paving of roads. With recycled content, the cost of materials for taxpayers is reduced. In addition, the development of this project has a lower environmental impact.

• Pothole patching: The recycled asphalt roofing material is also good for filling in potholes in roads that need to be paved.

• Construction sites: Ground-up shingles can reduce dust and erosion on unpaved roads or at construction sites.

• More shingles: With the use of recycled asphalt, roofing can be made stronger and more durable. Up to 15% of recycled material can be added to new asphalt shingles without affecting production or energy savings.

Metal Roofing

Today, recyclable materials are frequently used to manufacture metal roofs, particularly aluminum roofs. This material may be reclaimed and recycled when a metal roof needs to be replaced. It is critical that the metal be free of any binding component before it may be recycled or scrapped like any other metal commodity. Using metal as roofing material may become considerably more affordable due to the ease of recycling metal.

EPDM Roofing

EPDM roofing material can be recycled, according to the ERA (EPDM Roofing Association). EPDM roofs can be recycled by separating the fasteners from the materials. A grinding plant turns them into powdery material. This powder is later used as a component of walkway pads and roofing materials.

Slate Roofing

Some slate roofs fall into disrepair and it isn't economically viable to restore them. As slate occurs naturally and requires no processing, it can simply be removed and recycled at the end of its life. Many conservation sites across the globe still use second-hand slate for repairs and upkeep.

Wood Roofing

Wood shakes cannot be recycled or repurposed through formal recycling centers. However, that doesn't mean that they cannot be reused for other purposes. The many uses of wood planks make them a very easy material to recycle. Reusing wood shakes can be accomplished in many ways, including:

• Making wood chips by grinding them yourself

• Putting them to use for various projects by giving them to artists and other nonprofits.

• Constructing several structures in your home using these materials, such as sheds and garages.

• Selling them to a local biomass plant for money.

You Can Choose a Recyclable Roofing Option. We Can Help.

For many people, choosing a recyclable roofing material is an important factor when it's time to replace their roof. We are happy to discuss which materials are made from recycled materials and which ones are easily recyclable. Schedule your estimate today!