GAF Materials Corp. Now Recycling Shingles

GAF Materials Corp. has announced that all of its roofing plants are now recycling their asphalt shingle scrap. The company, a roofing shingle manufacturer headquartered in Wayne, N.J., says that its manufacturing operations generate little waste or by-products other than tabs or punch-outs, in addition to shingles that do not meet the company’s specifications.

Under GAF’s new arrangement, scrap trimmings and off-spec shingles are being recycled into new end products, primarily asphalt pavement.

In a GAF news release, Martin Grohman, GAF’s director of sustainability, says, “The shingle manufacturing process is very resource-efficient. In addition to shingles, our plants recycle metal, cardboard and oils as well as everyday items like batteries, paper, inks and toners and CFLs [compact fluorescent lamps].”

According to the National Asphalt Paving Association, asphalt is America’s most recycled material. “With their high quality fibers, asphalt and granules, recycled asphalt shingles can actually improve the qualities of roads,” says the group.