Metal’s Recyclable Roofing Benefits

Recycled Roofing Materials

The type of roofing material you choose can have a big impact on the environment. For instance, asphalt roof shingles are not recyclable roofing materials. In fact, non-recyclable roofing generates an astounding amount of landfill waste each year, estimated at 6.8 million tons, or 3% of all municipal solid waste. When a shingle roof wears out and needs to be replaced, the old roof shingles need to be stripped and this roofing material cannot be recycled. There are no uses for these old roofing materials.

Conversely, roofing materials used for metal roofs are 100% recyclable when removed from service. And better yet, recycled roofing meet the definitions for both recycled content and recyclability by industry recognized green building definitions. Union's recycled roofing materials are constructed of a minimum 20% recycled roofing material, and many times the recycled roof approaches to 60% recycled material. In addition, the outstanding durability and life-span of recycled metal roofs minimizes consumption due to metal roof replacement and metal roof repairs. In general, recycled metal roofs last 3 to 4 times longer than asphalt roof shingles, so savings in roofing material consumption are significant.