Author: Dan Stout | April 22, 2020

Recycling unused or torn-off shingles helps keep material out of landfills and can put a little cash in your pocket. Better yet, a shingle recycling program can help you appeal to environmentally-minded clients. Here's how you can recycle some common roofing materials.

Metal Roofs

Metal roofs are the easiest to recycle, as the majority of recycling centers accept scrap metal by the pound. You may even find a job that involves removing copper roofing, downspouts and gutters. In those instances, be sure to set the more valuable materials aside and recycle them separately to get the biggest possible payout.

Sorting scrap is an important part of recycling: The better organized your recycled materials are, the more rewarding it will be when you turn them in. Each roofing job will have its fair share of trash, but that doesn't mean you can't recycle.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles make up the majority of residential roofs, and most of them can be recycled. Recycled shingles are usually processed and repurposed to make asphalt roads.

The easiest one-stop shop for asphalt shingle recycling is ShingleRecycling.org, where you'll find a list of recyclers in your area, along with their contact information if you have any questions about the process. The website also lists the local environmental authorities that can answer questions specific to your state or province.

One thing that's worth noting is that while the shingles will need to be separated from material such as roofing felt or scrap wood, you don't need to spend time pulling out the nails. Asphalt recyclers separate nails from shingles with a series of powerful magnets.

Slate, Clay and Concrete Tiles

While metal and asphalt roofs are frequently sold to recyclers, other types of materials can be repurposed or even reinstalled on new roofs. Several companies around the U.S. reclaim, re-bundle and resell slate and clay roofing tiles. All of them work differently, but if your job is big enough, some buyers will come to you and haul away reusable tiles during tear-off.

Even on a smaller job, you can often find ways to sell or donate attractive roofing tiles. You may find that local artists or manufacturers will purchase slates to be repurposed into serving trays or cutting boards, and many landscapers offer clay or concrete tiles as decorative elements. You can also donate them to a facility like Habitat for Humanity's Restore, where you'll be helping a good cause with a charitable donation of useful building products. These donations are sometimes tax deductible.

You may also choose to save the best of these materials for yourself. If you work near a historic district that requires period materials, or simply have customers who like a certain style of tiles, having a supply in storage can come in handy.

Spread the Word

Equally important to recycling is letting customers know that you're doing it. Some customers prioritize sustainability efforts when selecting a contractor. Spread the word by touting your recycling program on your sales brochures and website, or consider having a dedicated dumpster painted with a brightly colored recycling symbol. You'll be surprised at the number of people who stop and ask about it — and every one of them is a potential new roofing client.

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