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, on 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. Overall there were positive responses from the municipalities, although the results were mixed, as some of the roads were too stiff as time went on.
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 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. Funding for the project, which will be finished in about a year, came from the Recycled Materials Research Center (RMRC), Durham, N.H.
The last panel of the event began with William Turley, executive director of the Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA), providing an overview of shingle recycling plants in the U.S.
Rob Hosier of CMRA-member General Environmental, Des Moines, Iowa, then talked about his experience recycling shingles. He had the shingles ground before using them for dust control on gravel roads, and related how after the material was down there were flat tire occurrences, followed by a finding of some nails by the side of the road. It is uncertain whether the nails were part of the road cover material, but overall Hosier feels the industry will continue to expand.
In order to do so, support from state agencies such as the Maine Department of Environmental Protection will be needed. Randy McMullin of that state’s environmental agency recounted how the department worked with CMRA member Commercial Paving & Recycling to permit the latter’s shingle recycling plant, the first in Maine. Personnel from Maine at first required testing for all incoming tear-offs to look for asbestos, but after all the samples came back negative it pulled that requirement.
Probably the most telling comment McMullin made was that the agency worked with Commercial Paving to find a way to safely make shingle recycling happen, rather than deciding there might be a risk and to just ban the practice or over-regulate so it would go away. It is positive action such as this that will increase shingle recycling rates, the CMRA’s Turley noted.
The April event in Minnesota attracted more than 100 participants who were to talk to their peers from across the country.
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