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How to Dispose of Roof Shingles

Written by Brian February 21, 2023
How to Dispose of Roof Shingles

The time has come to finally act on those home remodeling ideas you’ve had for a while now. Whether you’re completing quality-of-life improvements to your property, trying to raise your home value before a sale, or finally pulling the trigger on a long-awaited project, it’s time to replace your roof. 

But, how long does a roof last and how do you get rid of an old roof? More specifically, what happens to your old roofing shingles after they’ve served their purpose in your roofing system? If you’re faced with minor roofing issues like torn shingles or worn-out flashing, it’s better to learn how to fix a leaking roof rather than overhaul it.

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about roof shingle disposal, explore if shingles are biodegradable, and provide three options for getting rid of your old shingles once they’re replaced.

Are Shingles Biodegradable? 

While learning how to dispose of roof shingles, you might wonder if your materials are biodegradable.

The answer depends on what your shingles are made from:

  • Asphalt shingles – Asphalt roofing shingles contain a combination of ceramic-coated rock, natural minerals, asphalt cement, and fiberglass.1 The latter two materials don’t biodegrade.
  • Concrete tiles – Concrete decomposes very slowly—so, it does biodegrade, but not fast enough to be particularly eco-friendly.2
  • Clay tiles – Clay tiles are typically made from organic materials, and decompose like stone. While clay’s chemical structure takes substantial time to change, it generally doesn’t create an environmental burden.
  • Slate tiles – Slate, like clay, is derived from organic stone sources. So, when it returns to the ecosystem, it doesn’t create significant environmental impacts.3
  • Rubber shingles – If your roofing material is made from authentic rubber ( typically designed to mimic other roofing materials, like slate or clay), its environmental impact is the same as stone roofing materials like clay and slate. 
  • PVC and plastic shingles – Not all plastic products are designed to degrade quickly when exposed to soil or water—and, since roofing components are made to be durable, plastic or PVC shingles generally aren’t considered biodegradable.4

3 Options for Roof Shingle Disposal

Not all shingles and tiles are biodegradable. But, that makes some old roof shingles excellent candidates for reuse or recycling instead of traditional landfill disposal. Let’s explore where to dispose of roof shingles and break down other options for removing your roofing materials. 

#1 Donation

If your shingles are still in relatively good condition after you remove them from your roof, you can donate them to:

  • A local reuse organization or construction salvage company
  • Non-profit home builders like Habitat for Humanity
  • A nearby trade school or roofing education program

But, will you have any shingles left in donation-ready condition if you’re replacing your roof? In some circumstances, you might replace your roof before it reaches the end of its life cycle. For instance, you may be:

  • Replacing your roof before putting your home or commercial property on the market
  • Upgrading to a higher durability material
  • Changing your shingle color during an exterior renovation

In these cases, your shingles may have some life left—why not donate them to a worthy cause?

#2 Recycling

For non-biodegradable shingles, consider recycling. Numerous shingle materials can be recycled, including:

  • Asphalt – Asphalt roofing shingles can be melted down to make other cement-based materials. Recycling asphalt shingles into asphalt pavement is becoming increasingly common.
  • Concrete – Concrete can be broken down to form composites or gravel
  • Stone – Slate and clay, like concrete, can be recycled into gravel, soils, or composites
  • Rubber – Even though it’s technically biodegradable, rubber can be infinitely recycled
  • Plastics – Plastic can be melted down to form other plastic products (including building materials)

Ask your roofing contractor or local waste center about recycling your shingles—instead of taking up space in a landfill; they could be used for road surfacing, container manufacturing, or building applications.

#3 Trash

If your shingles aren’t suitable for donation and recycling isn’t an option in your area, traditional disposal is always an option. Be sure to keep the following in mind as you demolish your existing roof:

  • Safety – Some roofing materials may contain asbestos. Be sure to complete an asbestos test, wear proper safety equipment, and take proper disposal precautions.
  • Clean-up – Place tarps or containers around the entire building for simpler logistics and easier cleanup while you remove shingles and underlayments.
  • Dumpster rentals – Consider renting a dumpster or other roll-off waste disposal product to simplify the construction process.

If you’re taking the DIY route, waste management should be a crucial consideration in your project planning and site maintenance. Turn to a waste management expert for tips, safety solutions, and information about proper disposal.

ASAP Marketplace: Waste and Sanitation Solutions Nationwide

When it comes to roof shingle disposal, you have three options for your unwanted materials—you can donate materials with life left in them, recycle components that aren’t biodegradable, or safely send them to a landfill.

When you need site solutions for your next roofing replacement project, contact the experts at ASAP Marketplace. For nearly 30 years, we’ve been making site management simple, cost-effective, and efficient for builders, renovators, homeowners, and property managers around the country. 

We offer roll-off dumpsters, portable toilet solutions, construction equipment, tents, and everything else you need for you remodels, new project builds, and large infrastructure projects. And, if we can’t provide a service, we’ll connect you with a trusted vendor who can help you with your new project builds or remodel.

Don’t stress about site management during your next project—reach out to the team that makes waste management a breeze.

 

Sources: 

  1. US National Park Service. Recycle Plastic and Rubber Roofing Shingles. https://www.nps.gov/articles/roofing-shingles.htm 
  2. The Guardian. Concrete: The Most Destructive Material on Earth. https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/feb/25/concrete-the-most-destructive-material-on-earth 
  3. Murnane Slate Roofing. Why Slate Is an environmentally Friendly Choice. https://murnaneslateroofing.com.au/2018/12/07/why-slate-is-an-environmentally-friendly-choice/ 
  4. US Environmental Protection Agency. Frequently Asked Questions About Plastic Recycling and Composting. https://www.epa.gov/trash-free-waters/frequently-asked-questions-about-plastic-recycling-and-compostingÂ