If you’ve recently contacted roofing companies in your area to do repair work or reroof your home, you might be wondering what they’re going to do with those old shingles. Some contractors may just throw them away, but if you’re in the market for a roofing project, ask around to find one that will recycle the shingles as they’re removed from your home. Doing this will keep these materials out of landfills and you and your contractors will be happy to know that you’re doing your part for the environment.

Roofing Contractors Can Help Old Shingles Become Roads

Did you realize that about 5% of the roads you drive on every day are old roofing materials? After shingles are removed from the home, they’re ground up and then mixed with hot asphalt. Before this happens, roofing companies have to be sure to remove everything that’s not a shingle. That means nails, tarpaper and everything else needs to be removed before they can be ground up. Research has shown that roads made from recycled roofing are actually stronger and perform better than those made with traditional pavement.

Benefits Of Recycling

The major benefits of recycling is obvious – keeping the materials out of landfills. However, that’s not the only one. Homeowners can sometimes see a reduced price on their job because some companies can receive a cash incentive for turning their products into a recycling plant. This isn’t always the case, because in some states contractors have to pay a small fee to the plant. It all depends on the local market, regulations and more, so don’t assume the company can offer you a discount if it recycles your materials. However, it doesn’t hurt to ask.

How To Find Roofing Companies Who Will Reuse Materials

If you need a new roof replaced for your home, you should interview credible contractors. Ask for references, but also check if the company has a local office. It’s not uncommon for roofing companies to set up shop in a city after a big storm comes through causing damage to area homes. These companies can be completely legitimate, but sometimes they’re fly by night operations, only in town to make a quick buck and then leave.

The better solution is to use a local established company and ask them if they will help repurpose your materials. By using a local company, you can be sure to have a local contact in case a problem ever arises down the road. When choosing a local company, look for one with years of experience and ask them for addresses of recent and ongoing projects. A good company will have satisfied customers lined up to provide references, so call and check into them before hiring a company.

Saving materials from recent home improvement projects, like replacing a roof, is an easy way to help the environment. After all, you never know if that road you drive on every day used to be a part of your home’s roof.