Most people think of reflective coatings or membranes such as TPO that deliver environmental benefits and reduce cooling loads. With the recyclability of asphalt and the development of cool roofing granules, it is time to rethink asphalt as a sustainable roofing solution.
Reed Hitchcock, Executive Vice President of the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), shared at the 2020 International Roofing Expo that they expect to see a strong focus on sustainability and recycling in the coming years. “[Asphalt] actually has a lot of uses even after its regular life on a roof,” said Hitchcock. “The challenge that the industry has right now is getting that material from the roofs to the facilities that can process it.”
When recycled properly, asphalt can be used in the manufacture of other new products like pavement, specialty mulch or even new roofing materials. The challenge, according to Hitchcock, is that there is no monetary incentive for contractors to practice asphalt shingle recycling. “What we really need is the state departments of transportation and other government agencies, when they’re looking at financial incentives for the environment, to consider [asphalt recycling].”
Recycling can be a way that contractors can differentiate their businesses and appeal to homeowners who are interested in doing what is best for the environment. Dale Tadlock of Tadlock Roofing in Tallahassee, Fla. shared with ARMA why they recycle shingles, saying, “We have used recycling shingles as a launching point in green roofing. It was the first step that we took to adding green products and services.”
Tadlock says that implementing recycling has given his business a competitive advantage. “We have found that there are homeowners that may not be interested in the fact that we are recycling, but for those homeowners that do care about recycling, it gives us a distinct advantage in the marketplace.”
More information on how to recycle shingles and how to find a legitimate recycling facility can be found at asphaltroofing.org or shinglerecycling.org.
Roofing Technology Think Tank member Mycocycle is a startup company that is taking on the issue of diverting roofing waste from landfills through the science of mushrooms or mycology. Founded by construction and roofing industry veteran Joanne Rodriguez, LEED, AP, CDT, Mycocycle uses an engineered ecosystem to remediate the toxins out of asphalt and turn it into a usable raw material that can go back into the manufacturing stream. Simply put, they are using mushrooms to eat the asphalt waste and output a valuable raw material.
The company was recently named a finalist in Fast Company’s 2020 World Changing Ideas Award that recognizes “concepts, prototypes and just-launched ideas that may not have clear impact but have the potential to change how we think about an issue.”
Asphalt-eating mushrooms have the potential to change how we think about roofing waste disposal. The potential benefits are very exciting.
Manufacturers of low-slope asphaltic roofing systems are increasingly looking for ways to make their membranes more environmentally friendly. Innovations in roofing granule technology have led to some extremely sustainable choices for building owners and contractors.
3M is a leading supplier of roofing granules and has developed several sustainable choices, including a highly reflective granule that meets ENERGY STAR, Title 24 and other green building standards. They have also developed an innovative smog-reducing granule that helps remove smog pollutants that come in contact with the roof.
Some manufacturers are offering cap sheets with these environmentally friendly granule options. By choosing the eco-friendly cap sheets, you can deliver to your customers the durability of an asphalt roofing system plus the added benefit of a system that is not detrimental to the environment.
Karen L. Edwards is a Marketing Consultant for the roofing industry and Director at the Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3).
Previous Article