GAF to Sponsor Find-A-Recycler on Shinglerecycling.org

GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, announced a significant expansion of its efforts to support post-consumer shingle recycling. Building on the success of its Certified Green Roofer program, already more than 100 members strong, GAF has made a multiyear commitment to sponsor the Find-A-Recycler section of ShingleRecycling.org.

ShingleRecycling.org, a CMRA website, is a leading resource for information about recycling asphalt shingles. In addition to a state-by-state database of locations where roofing contractors can recycle their tear offs, ShingleRe-cycling.org includes technical information to encourage recycling. The new sponsorship is expected to improve searchability of the database, which already includes more than 150 listings nationwide, and to provide for greater frequency of updates.

“Our goal is to make it easier for contractors to recycle asphalt shingles,” said Martin Grohman, director of sustainability, GAF. “We want to do that two ways: by recognizing and rewarding roofers who recycle for their efforts; and by making shingle recycling yards easy to find.”

Preparing a roof for recycling is quite straightforward—shingles, felt and nails are kept separate while the old roofing is being removed, and other materials that come off the roof are then placed on top of the load for separate recycling. During the shingle grinding process, nails are removed by magnets and also recycled. To operate on a national scale, GAF’s program does not require roofing contractors to lock in with any specific recycling company, but encourages them to use a recycler listed on ShingleRecycling.org.

“By working with a GAF Certified Green Roofer, you’re making it more practical for your old roof to be recycled,” said Grohman. “A typical 30-35 square roof is good for about 50 feet of new road.”
You can find a roofing contractor that recycles by using the contractor locator at www.gaf.com. Look for the Certified Green Roofer designation.

Asphalt shingle recycling is a major recycling initiative that makes both economic and environmental sense, considering the factors: clean, post-consumer recycled material with good value; interested, motivated homeowners and contractors; and a viable long term application—paving asphalt. According to the National Asphalt Paving Association, asphalt is one of America’s most recycled material.

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