Asphalt shingle recycling operations are run by types of business such as
- Material recovery facilities (MRFs)
- Asphalt paving contractors
- Transfer stations
- Landfills
- Asphalt mix supply companies
The recycling of incoming asphalt shingles requires some sortation before grinding. Foreign materials such as wood and plastic must be removed, and additionally, incoming material must be examined to ensure that it does not contain asbestos, which in the past was used in some roofing products. Shingles bearing asbestos material cannot be processed due to health risks.
After sortation, shingles are typically fed by loading equipment into a horizontal grinding unit for grinding, utilizing a screening process to ensure uniform sizing of the end product. A magnetic roller is used to remove nails and staples from the processed material.
Depending upon the sizing of the material required and the equipment being used, one or two passes through a grinder may be required. For applications such as hot-mix asphalt, particle sizing under ½ inch is typical.
Markets for Recycled Asphalt Shingles
Markets for recycled asphalt shingles continue to emerge and grow. The most popular current applications for this material include incorporation into hot-mix asphalt and cold patch. As more states increasingly accept recycled asphalt shingle content for hot-mix asphalt, demand will accelerate.
