Recycling is a hot topic these days, as our planet needs to be kept clean and green. Global warming, weather changes, and other environmental issues that we are facing today have contributed massively to our lives and it is now more important than ever to look for better ways to handle wastage.
Construction is one area where sustainability is getting popular; as companies are building products that can be used in different ways when they need to be replaced or their life ends. Homeowners also prefer reusable, sustainable, and eco-friendly materials for their homes; as this is a perfect opportunity to utilize the stuff in a much more sophisticated manner rather than letting the material go into landfill.
Getting a roof is a costly job, from choosing the right type, style, and much more, there’s much to consider and if you are about to get a new one you may have been asking yourself “what to do with the roofing waste”, “is roofing material recyclable”. Don’t be too hard on your mind, we’ll explain here what types of roofing materials are recyclable and which one is the best in terms of reusability.
Fortunately, it is possible to recycle all commonly used roofing materials, including metal, asphalt shingles, tiles, and EPDM rubber, etc. However, the degree to which each material can be recycled may vary. Recycling facilities work seamlessly to ensure the successful reprocessing of roofing waste materials.
Metal Roofing – Are Metal Roofs Recyclable?
Metal roofs are a long-lasting and highly durable option out there. It has now become a rising trend in the US to have metal roofs over their houses. With enormous amounts of benefits this roofing type offers; what makes it, even more, stand out from other types as metal is 100% recyclable.
Leftover scraps, old panels, and tear-off metal are easily recycled and can be used effectively in different metal products: appliances, cans, plumbing, and more. Metal roofs are energy-efficient and this factor also plays a vital role when the recycling process takes place; the energy and resources that are required to successfully get something out of the metal are reduced by a greater number – resulting in lesser energy consumption and saving costs.
Galvalume®, galvanized, aluminum, copper, zinc, and stainless steel – these metal roofing types are highly recyclable.
Metal roofing panels are made up of coils and sheets, which may already be carrying some recycled content. Metal roofing materials are of distinct types and quality out of which aluminum is often created with ingredients that have been recycled before. Almost 95% of aluminum roofing comes into existence through recycled metal. This just tells us how much resources and energy can be saved by using it as a base for development. Recycled steel (Galvalume) uses only 26% of the original energy, while recycled aluminum uses just 5%. Metal roofing products can be recycled again and again if properly collected.
Asphalt Shingle – Can You Recycle Asphalt Shingles?
It is no surprise that asphalt shingles are the most widely used roofing types for several decades. They aren’t costly and installation is simple and easy. Making it a perfect choice for an average household. For most people, affordability is a concern and asphalt shingles just simply fit into their budget. However, asphalt shingles are usually misjudged when it comes to recyclability; due to the fact that it’s an oil-based product so it can’t be recycled – this is how people used to think. When shingles are about to lose their usefulness, they are disposed of and end up in landfills.
In the United States, 11 million tons of asphalt shingles find their way to landfills per year. And it can take up to three centuries for this waste to fully adjust in a landfill. The fact that asphalt shingles can’t be recycled isn’t entirely true. In the past few years, the recycling process of shingles is becoming more efficient and accessible. It can be reused for a range of purposes from road pavements to creating new asphalt shingles and ground covers. Qualified recycling centers do a great job in handling shingles waste; they have advanced technology and new methods to turn this thing into something reusable.
EPDM Rubber Roofing – Is EPDM Roofing Recyclable?
EPDM is a form of rubber that is available as a roofing option to protect a roof for almost 10 years. It might not be easy to get along with recycling EPDM on a bigger scale, however, contractors and installers can find a professional facility dealing with rubber. To make this happen contact EPDM Roofing Association and they will guide you about the suitable facility.
If we go back to 2006, that’s when recycling EPDM began. Before 2006, it wasn’t possible to recycle the EPDM leftovers. There was only one way to work around rubber roofing back then – if it needs to be replaced then it has to go through the same typical cycle; finally going into the landfill. Just because the large portion of waste wasn’t able to utilize properly EPDM Roofing Association launched a recycling program to reduce the environmental impacts. And now we can reuse EPDM rubber to create various products like playgrounds, running tracks, waterproof materials, and coatings.
Concrete & Clay Tile – Can Clay Tiles Be Recycled and Reused?
Concrete or clay roofing is widely used all over the world, especially European countries; Mediterranean-style buildings are known to have a clay roof. Clay tiles are just beautiful and it’s one kind of roofing that ages well with time. They don’t need harmful chemicals or any other synthetic material for protection. Clay tiles are quite durable and can last up to many years if taken care of properly. With a wide range of colors it is sure to be an eye-catching roofing system. But can clay tiles be recycled? Yes, they can.
Made from minerals; concrete and clay tile roofs can be recycled and reused for different construction projects, landscaping, sideways, and more. The tiles are usually crushed into gravel and screened to the desired size. Not only does the utilization of clay and concrete roof tiles offer post-consumer recycling perks, but they contain recycled materials as well – making them a superbly sustainable choice.
You will need a facility that accepts clay tiles, however these facilities aren’t easily available so you must have to dig deeper down in order to find one.
Why Do Roofing Materials Need To Be Recycled?
Our atmosphere’s health is highly dependent on the responsible disposal of our waste, and roofing materials are no exception. Recycling roofing materials helps conserve resources, reduce landfill waste and pollution, and can even save energy. It also allows us to reuse existing building components that would otherwise be trashed. Helping us save resources but also reduces the need for new materials and the associated manufacturing costs.
We’re done here; let us know if you have any questions whether you want a new roof or your existing one causing problems contact Hastings Roofing – we will pull this off professionally.
