Today, more homeowners than ever are trying to make environmentally responsible choices. Whether it’s installing energy-efficient appliances, reducing waste, or recycling materials whenever possible, the idea of being “green” has become an important part of many homeowners’ decision-making process.
So when it’s time to replace a roof, it’s completely natural to ask:
Can asphalt shingles be recycled instead of going to a landfill?
After all, a roof replacement removes several tons of old roofing material from a home. The idea that those shingles might be recycled rather than dumped into a landfill is appealing to many homeowners.
In fact, you may have even heard roofing companies advertise themselves as “green roofing companies” that recycle all of their shingles.
But here’s the honest answer for homeowners in Colorado Springs:
In most cases today, asphalt shingles are not currently recycled in Colorado.
Let’s walk through why that is and what actually happens to old roofing materials when your roof is replaced.
Why Environmentally Conscious Homeowners Ask About Recycling Asphalt Shingles
Many homeowners today are thinking more carefully about the environmental impact of construction projects.
When replacing a roof, common questions include:
- Can the old shingles be recycled?
- Is there a more environmentally responsible way to handle roofing waste?
- Are there roofing companies that offer greener options?
These are thoughtful questions, and they come from a genuine desire to reduce waste and make responsible choices.
A typical asphalt shingle roof replacement can remove several tons of material from a home, so it makes sense that homeowners would want to know if that material can be reused instead of sitting in a landfill.
The idea of recycling those materials sounds appealing — but the reality is a little more complicated.
Can Asphalt Shingles Be Recycled?
Technically speaking, asphalt shingles can be recycled.
The materials inside shingles — including asphalt, fiberglass, and mineral granules — can potentially be processed and reused in products such as:
- Road paving materials
- Asphalt mixtures
- Construction materials
However, recycling only works when there is a functional market for the recycled product. Facilities must be able to process the shingles and sell the recycled material to companies that will actually use it.
Without that demand, recycling programs cannot operate effectively.
That’s exactly what happened in Colorado.
What Happened to Asphalt Shingle Recycling in Colorado
At one time, asphalt shingle recycling did exist in Colorado.
Facilities accepted old roofing shingles with the intention of processing and reusing them. But over time, a major problem became clear:
There simply wasn’t enough demand for the recycled materials.
According to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health:
- In 2014, recycling facilities accepted approximately 107,000 tons of asphalt shingles.
- But only 15 tons were actually recycled.
That means less than one-thousandth of one percent of the material brought in for recycling was ultimately reused.
Instead of being recycled, the shingles were piling up.
Why Asphalt Shingle Recycling Stopped
Because recycled shingle material wasn’t being used, facilities began accumulating massive stockpiles of old roofing materials.
These piles continued to grow larger and larger as more roofs were replaced.
Eventually, the Colorado Department of Public Health determined the situation was unsustainable. In September 2015, the state ruled that facilities that had been accepting shingles could no longer accept new materials.
Those facilities were allowed to process the material they already had, but they could not continue taking in additional shingles.
Since then, asphalt shingle recycling programs have largely disappeared in Colorado.
What Happens to Old Roof Shingles Today
If you replace an asphalt shingle roof in Colorado Springs today, the removed shingles typically follow a standard process:
- The roofing crew removes the old shingles from your roof.
- The materials are placed in a jobsite dumpster or trailer.
- The waste is transported to an approved landfill.
Responsible contractors ensure the material is disposed of properly according to local regulations.
While landfill disposal isn’t the outcome many homeowners hope for, it is currently the standard and compliant method for handling roofing waste in Colorado.
Be Careful With “Green Roofing” Claims
Because homeowners understandably want environmentally responsible options, some roofing companies market themselves as “green roofing contractors” that recycle shingles.
In many cases, those claims are simply outdated or inaccurate in Colorado.
If a contractor tells you they recycle all the shingles they remove from roofs in Colorado Springs, it’s reasonable to ask a few follow-up questions:
- Where are the shingles being recycled?
- What facility accepts them?
- What products are they being reused in?
Transparent contractors should be able to clearly explain their process.
The Bigger Picture: Responsible Roofing Choices
Even though asphalt shingle recycling is limited in Colorado today, homeowners can still make responsible roofing decisions.
The most environmentally responsible roofs are often the ones that last the longest and require fewer replacements over time.
Some ways homeowners can reduce long-term roofing waste include:
- Choosing high-quality materials
- Ensuring proper installation
- Maintaining good roof ventilation
- Addressing small issues before they become major problems
A well-installed roof that lasts decades helps reduce the number of times materials need to be removed and replaced.
Final Thoughts
Recycling asphalt shingles is a great idea in theory, and it has been attempted in Colorado before. However, due to a lack of demand for recycled materials, the program largely ended in 2015.
Today, most asphalt shingles removed during roof replacements in Colorado Springs are taken to approved landfills.
For homeowners, the most important thing is working with a contractor who is transparent about the process and focused on installing a roof that will protect your home for many years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Recycling Asphalt Shingles in Colorado Springs
Can asphalt shingles be recycled in Colorado Springs?
In most cases, no. Asphalt shingle recycling programs in Colorado largely stopped in 2015 because there was not enough demand for the recycled material. Today, most shingles removed during roof replacements are transported to approved landfills.
Why did Colorado stop recycling asphalt shingles?
The main reason was lack of demand for recycled materials. In one year, recycling facilities accepted more than 100,000 tons of shingles, but only about 15 tons were actually recycled. The rest accumulated in large stockpiles.
What happens to shingles when a roof is replaced?
During a roof replacement, the old shingles are removed and placed in a dumpster or trailer on site. The contractor then transports that material to an approved landfill where it is disposed of according to local regulations.
Are asphalt shingles recyclable in other states?
Yes. Some states and regions have active asphalt shingle recycling programs where the material is processed and reused in road paving or asphalt mixtures. However, recycling programs depend on local infrastructure and demand for recycled materials.
Is there a more environmentally friendly roofing option?
Some homeowners choose longer-lasting roofing materials to reduce how often a roof needs to be replaced. Durable roofing systems that last longer can reduce construction waste over time and help protect the long-term value of the home.
