Saving the Earth One Shingle at a Time

By Evelyn Witterholt. 

Learn about the strides Owens Corning have made in the world of roofing recycling. 

For decades, asphalt roofing companies like Owens Corning have been looking into how they can manufacture their shingles more sustainably. In the last few years, they’ve actually developed a team whose sole purpose is to look at what recycling efforts can be made in their manufacturing process. In a recent episode of Coffee Conversations, we spoke with Owens Cornings’ Laurand Lewandowski, director of asphalt innovation, and Mark Leo, director for circular economy about their companies work in roofing recycling. 

In this informative discussion, Laurand sheds some light on the history of roofing recycling and why its legacy continues to this day. “The concept of recycling roofing really goes back to the late ‘80s when there were several patents issued for the use of recycled asphalt shingles and paving,” he says. “Today, the paving industry has really developed a novel approach with something called balance mix design. And that's allowing the contractor to be innovative and also to use more recycled content.” 

Today, Owens Corning has created a team within their own company that researches technologies and approaches the company can take to use more recycled materials. After looking at a variety of methods for shingle production, the company found a method that they feel works the best. Their approach involves deconstructing old shingles that would have otherwise been put in landfills and extracting components that can be reused in new shingles. 

“The idea is we're taking old shingles and using them as an input feed stock into making new shingles,” Mark says. “It's the right fit for us because we're vertically integrated into the asphalt business and we play in spaces other than just roofing.” 

Watch the entire Coffee Conversations episode to get an inside look at the world of roofing recycling. 

Learn more about Owens Corning in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.owenscorning.com.    

About Evelyn  

Evelyn works as a writer for RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop and AskARoofer. When she isn’t writing about roofing, she’s either at the gym lifting weights or curled up on the couch watching a movie.