How to Dispose of Roof Shingles Efficiently & Effectively

Planning to replace or repair your old roof but don’t know what to do with old shingles? You are at the right place. Roofing projects give your house a new and better look but disposing of old shingles and other waste in the right manner is a daunting task. Your regular trash collector will not accept roofing shingles; taking them to a landfill yourself takes time, effort and money. Besides that, methods such as open-air incineration and direct dumping at landfills can cause contamination and, hence, are unethical disposal methods.

Keeping shingles on the work site for a long time puts you and the workers at risk. Therefore, it’s crucial to dispose of them at the right time and in the right manner to declutter your space. This is why dumpster rentals for roofing materials are a convenient solution. Below we’ll also outline some other options.

Contribute Shingles for Reuse

If your old shingles are in good condition, consider donating them to a charitable organization. Options include NGOs, old age homes, orphanages, trade schools, education programs, and non-profit home builders. This is ideal when your shingles are still in good shape, and you’re replacing them simply to upgrade your home’s appearance, quality, or color. These organizations can repurpose the shingles for roofing or other applications.

Habitat for Humanity is a reliable organization that accepts roofing shingles and sells/recycles them for its initiatives. Besides that, some local nonprofits, charities, and community-building projects also accept shingles for their projects.

The most crucial aspect of donating them is ensuring they are bagged, reusable, clean, and in good condition. Asphalt shingles are the most valuable shingle type for donation purposes as they can be repurposed easily in new projects. You can contact trusted roofing contractors to connect with charitable organizations and groups that take your old shingles for free.

Renting a Roofing Dumpster

One of the most convenient and effective ways to dispose of old roofing shingles is by renting a roofing dumpster. This method allows you to toss all the old shingles at once, without the hassle of multiple trips to the landfill or recycling center. Roofing dumpsters can accommodate a large amount of roofing shingles easily and seamlessly. These dumpsters also accept other roofing waste, including tiles, underlayment, nails, and flashing, making them a one-stop solution for disposing of roofing waste.

To rent a roofing dumpster, contact the dumpster rental company and tell them your project scope and requirements. They will advise you on the appropriate dumpster size based on the size of your roof and the bundles of shingles.

Dumpsters that are 20 or 30 yards in size are frequently utilized for roofing operations. Position the dumpster where it’s easily accessible for loading but won’t obstruct important areas. Fill the dumpster evenly with the roofing waste, but avoid overfilling it, as it can cause additional charges. Once you are done, contact the company to take off the dumpster and dispose of the shingles ethically and legally.

The biggest advantages of dumpster rentals are convenient disposal and flexible rental periods. You can keep the dumpster until the project ends, and then the truck will come to take it off. You don’t have to spend time or effort taking it to the landfill, recycling center, or anywhere else.

Recycling Old Shingles

Roof shingles made from asphalt, metal, wood and plastic can be recycled for further use. They contain composites and resins, making them a suitable recyclable waste that can be used for various applications after recycling.

Asphalt shingles can be used to make road pavement, pathways, driveways, roof decking, and new roads, as well as repair existing ones. On the other hand, wood shingles can be used for animal bedding, and plastic shingles can be melted and recycled into new plastic products. Concrete shingles can be crushed and used as gravel, whereas stone shingles can be recycled into soil, gravel and composites. Almost every type of shingles is useful after recycling; therefore, always prefer recycling over disposing of it in a landfill. You just have to ensure that shingles are free from stains and chemicals and are clean for recycling.

Find a reliable local recycling center or facility that can recycle roofing shingles correctly and efficiently. You can start by searching online for recycling centers in your area. You can also take the help of roofing contractors, waste management companies, and recycling programs to find the most suitable recycling center. Even some shingle manufacturers have recycling programs so they can help you with recycling. Recycling old shingles reduces the shingle waste at the landfill which causes a positive impact on the environment.

Call in a Junk Removal Company

If you have a lot of junk waste, contacting a junk removal company is an alternative to renting a dumpster. Not many, but some junk removal companies accept roof shingles in large quantities and dispose of them responsibly and efficiently. They use big trucks that can carry around 4000 pounds of waste material with a weight limit of 2 tons.

One shingle weight bundle range from 40 – 300 pounds depending on the type, depth, size and brand. One square shingle weigh 135 – 1200 pounds per type and size. Now, the average roof size in most US houses is about 17000 square feet. Based on that, choosing a junk removal company is a good choice as they can accommodate such a huge amount of shingles.

However, make sure to consider a junk removal company if other methods like recycling, repurposing, dumpster rental, and donation are not viable. The cost is influenced by the weight and quantity of shingles, which can be substantial depending on your roof size.

Repurposing Shingles

Repurposing old shingles is a creative way to use them for different purposes instead of giving them to someone else or disposing of them. Its uses include:

• Garden Paths and Walkways: Asphalt shingles can be used as a base for garden paths and walkway covers.
• DIY Stair Grips: Old shingles can be transformed into stair grips to add an extra layer of safety.
• Small Projects: Old shingles can be used to repair or re-reef other small projects in the home, such as shed covers, doghouses, birdhouses, and playhouses.
• Doormat: Old shingles are also used to make a unique and personalized homemade doormat.
• Weed Barriers: They can be used to keep weeds out of garden beds by covering them with mulch or dirt.
• Art and Decor Projects: They can be cut and used to create beautiful art projects and creative pieces like garden stakes, sculptures, mosaic patterns, etc.
• Planter Beds: Old shingles can be used to edge garden beds, creating a clean and defined border that keeps soil in place.
• Craft Projects: They can also be used to make craft projects such as coasters, trivets, wall art, photo frames, etc. Paint and decorate them to make beautiful decorative pieces.

Last Option: Disposing of Shingles in Landfills

Disposing of shingles in a landfill is not an environmentally friendly way of disposal. Moreover, landfill charges for old shingles disposal are very high. However, if other methods such as recycling, donation, and reusing are not possible, disposing in a landfill is the only solution. This may occur as a result of the shingles’ poor state, the presence of chemicals and adhesives, or the ingredients that make other options impossible.

Make sure to verify landfill requirements, such as separating shingles from other waste, ensuring they are free from asbestos, etc. Moreover, check the guidelines that you must adhere to, and the permits required in order to dispose of at a landfill.

Now, disposing of the roof shingles in a landfill manually by yourself requires a lot of manpower, a big vehicle like a truck and a lot of time and money. This is labor intensive and costs you relatively high as landfill costs range between $30 – $50 per ton. In such a situation, it’s best to rent a dumpster and toss all the shingles in it. The dumpster rental company will tackle the disposing issue, making you free from all the hassles.

Why Choose S&A Container Service for Disposing of Roofing Shingles?

S&A Container Service is a reliable dumpster rental company that has been operating since 1953 with 5-star reviews and thousands of positive customers. We offer easy and fast dumpster rental services for shingles removal and making your space clutter-free.

Our range of dumpsters from 10 yards to 40 yards cater to your roof project scope and requirements. Our short delivery and on-time pickup save you time and allow you to complete your project on time. Our flexible rental duration lets you manage your timeline properly, ensuring that your project runs successfully. S&A Container Service offers competitive rates without any hidden fees to ensure complete transparency. Contact us to book your roofing dumpster now!

Conclusion

Roofing projects are an exciting endeavor, giving your house a new and polished look. However, the old shingles are a big headache for homeowners as regular trash collectors do not accept them. We have discussed different ways to ethically and conveniently dispose of roof shingles and get rid of them. From donating, recycling and repurposing to disposing via dumpster rentals or junk removal companies, these are the right ways to dispose of shingles. Make sure to follow your city’s rules and guidelines for properly disposing of old shingles.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to prepare old shingles for disposal?First, separate them from certain recyclables, such as metal flashings, gutters, etc., that must be recycled separately. After that, make sure that shingles are free from paint, asbestos and other hazardous materials.
2. Do old shingles classify as hazardous waste?In the past, shingles often contained asbestos, which posed significant health risks, making old shingles dangerous. However, most shingles produced after 1989-90 are asbestos-free and therefore not hazardous. To be certain, it’s advisable to have a third party test your shingles for asbestos.
3. Which kinds of roofing shingles are there?

   Roofing shingles are of various types and each one further includes different types of shingles. The main ones are:

   • Asphalt Shingles
   • Wood Shingles
   • Metal Shingles
   • Rubber Shingles
   • Slate Shingles
   • Clay Tiles
   • Concrete Tiles
   • Synthetic Shingles
4. Can I discard roofing materials other than shingles in dumpsters?
   Yes, S&A container service allows you to discard all your roofing waste in one dumpster, including tar paper, underlayment, wood, gutters, roofing gravel, rubber membranes, nails, flashing, fasteners, vents, and fiberglass batts.