Practical Tips for Roofing Contractors to Go Green

By Adam Cabrera. 

Experts offer practical advice for contractors looking to incorporate sustainability in their roofing business. 

In a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips®, host Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with two industry experts, Jason Dark and Mitch Gilbert, from Duro-Last, a manufacturer of PVC roofing systems. Jason, the VP of sales at Duro-Last, and Mitch, the director of research and development, quality control and continuous improvement, delved into the urgent topic of sustainability in the roofing industry. 

Mitch kicked off the conversation by discussing the current focus on decarbonization in building products, propelled by legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act. "There's a growing focus on lifecycle analysis, and Mitch mentioned the decarbonization of the building, measuring embodied carbon within products, being able to understand new sustainability metrics that are being used," said Jason, emphasizing the growing need for sustainable products. 

Jason also highlighted Duro-Last's long-standing commitment to eco-friendly practices. The company has diverted over a hundred million pounds of PVC waste from landfills by recycling old roofs and manufacturing scrap into products such as Protect-All flooring. "We were recycling and sustainable before it was cool," he said. 

Mitch discussed the global sustainability goals of Duro-Last's parent company, Holcim Building Envelope, which involve both recycling and emissions reduction targets. He urged the industry to consider the challenge of recycling materials at scale. "We really need assistance in recycling the material once it's at the end of its life," Mitch said. 

The podcast also featured practical tips for contractors to embrace sustainability, such as education, customer engagement and recycling opportunities. "Everyone in the industry should set some of those goals and just jump in, start working together, and we could drive the industry together,” Jason said. 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about Duro-Last and what they are doing to create a more sustainable future.