Read the commissioners’ update about Xcel’s Power Outage.

Asphalt Shingle Recycling

Asphalt Shingle Recycling Roofs to Roads Project

Asphalt roofing shingles are not longer recyclable

September, 2015 – The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recently adopted a policy that asphalt roofing shingles are no longer considered a recyclable material. This policy was adopted as a result of numerous sites posing as asphalt shingle facilities, accepting multiple thousands of tons of roofing shingles and then abandoning the shingles. Industry research and recycling facility data evaluation has shown that there is little or no demand for the shingles. The department will always consider new market data in determining if proposed sites may meet the departments recycling criteria.

You can contact David Snapp, CDPHE, at 303-692-3425 if you have questions regarding this policy.

Timeline and Reports

Roofs to Roads Brochure
Roofs to Roads Final Report December, 2011 submitted to EPA
Technical Report April, 2010 on the North 63rd Street Project: mix design, project details, and information on the amount of recycled materials used and greenhouse gas emissions avoided.

Benefits of Using Recycled Shingles

Reduces waste to landfills. Approximately 250,000 tons of shingles enter Colorado’s landfills every year. Shingles take decades to decompose, create caps in landfills allowing methane gas to develop, and don’t compact well.

Avoid Greenhouse Gas emissions. A life-cycle analysis of asphalt pavement (Environmental Road of the Future, COLAS group, September 2002) indicates 27,000 pounds of carbon dioxide are avoided on a typical paving project, by using 5 percent shingles in place of virgin asphalt binder.
Improved road performance. Studies and performance tests show that use of shingles in asphalt mixes helps reduce ruts and cracks.

Additional technical reports can be found on the national website at shinglerecycling.org managed by the Construction Materials Recycling Association.

Contact Us

Hazardous Materials Management Facility

720-564-2251
HazMatAll@bouldercounty.gov

Location

West of Boulder County Recycling Center
1901 63rd St.
Boulder, CO 80301
Map and Directions
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday-Saturday
Tuesday: Business waste by appointment only