Facts and Figures  An estimated 7 to 10 million tons of shingle tear-off waste and installation scrap is generated from roof installations every year. ~National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) It is estimated that the construction of a new home requires between 3,000 to 4,000 ft2 of shingles, the installation of which equates to about 300-400 ft 2 of shingle scrap. Converting to a more user-friendly unit - asphalt shingles generally weigh between 175 - 233 lbs per "square", which is roofing jargon for 100 ft2 of new shingles. ~Asphalt Roofing Manufacturing Association (ARMA) In 2007, there were 7746 new housing units constructed in Connecticut, thus it can be estimated that the housing market generated between 2,333,800 to 3,098,400 ft2 (or 2,133 - 3,610 tons) of asphalt shingle scrap. ~ CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)

Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material used in new home construction and re-roofing in the United States.  According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), an estimated 7 to 10 million tons of shingle tear-off waste and installation scrap is generated from roof installations every year.

Asphalt roofing shingles (ARS) have a great recycling potential in Connecticut:

• We generate an estimated 2800 tons of asphalt shingle scrap annually;
• ARS is easy to separate from other construction and demolition materials for recycling;
• CT currently has four permitted facilities to process ARS; and
• Use of recycled shingles in pavement can yield cost savings and provide points toward LEED (an internationally recognized green building certification system).

Asphalt Shingle Recycling Process

To prepare shingles for use in new products, the shingles must be ground to a specified size, and contaminants removed.

Grinding
Grinding may be easier in the winter when the asphalt is more brittle. If the shingles begin to stick together in hot weather, or from the heat of the equipment, spraying with water or blending with sand or gravel may help.

Sizing
Depending on the equipment used, primary grinding may yield 2" or 3"-minus size pieces. Secondary grinding may be required to make smaller pieces if needed; for example, aggregate base may require 3/4"-minus, and asphalt pavement may require 1/2"-minus or 1/4"-minus.

Grading
Depending on the use, the shingles may have to be sieved after grinding, to conform to grading requirements.

Contaminants
For virtually all uses, contaminants must be removed. Possible contaminants may include:

• Metals, such as nails, which can be removed by a rotating magnet.
• Wood, which sometimes accompanies shingles when the plywood is also replaced in a re-roof job. Wood can be removed by hand, or floated off in a water flotation unit.

Products Made From Recycled Asphalt Shingles

The following are potential end uses for recycled {Road Paving} asphalt roofing shingles:

• Hot-mix Asphalt (HMA) additive
• Cold patch for pothole repair
• Temporary roads, driveways and parking lots
• New shingles additive
• Aggregate road base
• Dust and erosion control at construction sites and rural roads, and
• Fuel