Shingles look to shake asbestos reputation - Industry News - recycling of shingles

C&D Recycler, May-June, 2003

Among the topics at the Second Asphalt Shingles Recycling Forum, which took place April 13-14 in Minneapolis, was a discussion of removing regulatory barriers to shingle recycling.

Because a few brands of shingles contained small amounts of asbestos when they were manufactured decades ago, traces of asbestos sometimes show up when tests of old shingles are conducted. As a percentage of the overall materials mix, recyclers contend, asbestos is insignificant.

Paul Ruesch, of Chicago-based U.S. EPA Region 5, explained the current federal regulations regarding asbestos-containing materials. Because of that small number of shingles many years ago that had asbestos in them, the perception that shingles have asbestos remains a barrier to more asphalt shingle recycling. This is despite that fact that testing of incoming loads of shingles to recycling yards shows the presence of asbestos to be virtually non-existent.

Also speaking was Dan Krivit, of Dan Krivit and Associates, St. Paul, Minn., one of the organizers of the event, who told of Minnesota's results from testing incoming tear-offs for asbestos. Virtually none was found except where expected in built-up roofing. He also outlined a plan to develop a sampling protocol for tear-offs.

James "Buzz" Surwilo, from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, reported on his state's project, done in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, using tear-off shingles in roadwork. The shingles were processed and given to local municipalities to be used on local gravel roads for dust control. There were positive responses from municipalities, although the results were mixed, as some roads became too stiff as time passed.

Two speakers on specifications for the use of recycled shingles also addressed attendees. Roger Olson of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) presented new specifications in his state that can allow more recycled materials to be used in roadwork. Henry Justus, of Chesner Engineering, Commack, N.Y., presented the first draft of a proposed guideline specification for recycled shingles use in hot-mix asphalt.