Learn more about how asphalt roofing contributes to energy efficient and sustainable building practices.
Over the past century, asphalt roofing manufacturers have used research and technology to improve the aesthetics, durability, versatility, and performance of asphalt products and address specific roofing issues. Asphalt shingle, modified bitumen, and built-up roofing (BUR) systems provide superior protection for any building. Although these products are very durable, eventually the roof will need to be replaced, and thankfully landfill is not necessarily the only option. In many regions, the asphalt and other components of asphalt roofing products can be reclaimed and repurposed into other functional uses including dust suppression, energy recovery, and most commonly in asphalt pavement.
In May 2022, the ARMA Board of Directors announced that it has adopted a position on the recycling of asphalt roofing materials, specifically “The industry aspires to reduce landfill disposal of asphalt-based roofing materials to 50% by 2035 and to approach 0% by 2050.” To accomplish these goals, ARMA will foster and promote responsible, economically feasible, and sustainable circular economy options to recycle asphalt-based roofing materials and enhance the long-term viability of asphalt roofing as the preferred roofing material.
Steep-Slope Asphalt Roofing Recycling
Asphalt shingle recycling is cost-competitive, convenient where available and saves valuable resources from being sent to landfills. Recycled shingles are most commonly reused in pavement, which offsets the need for newly processed asphalt, and additional uses are being explored. Asphalt shingle recycling creates jobs for recycling locations and reduces costs for paving. Recycling shingles also allows homeowners to feel good knowing that their used shingles are not ending up in a landfill.
While use in public and private asphalt pavement projects is the most common and most well-developed recycling option for shingles, true product circularity – using old shingles in the production of new shingles – is being actively researched by various ARMA shingle manufacturers. To learn more on the latest regarding these innovative technology developments, consult individual ARMA member company websites via the ARMA Member Directory.
Low-Slope Asphalt Roofing Recycling
Many commercial/industrial buildings in North America continue to be covered with durable asphalt roofing membranes – either traditional multi-layer built-up roof assembly (BUR) or modified bitumen built-up roof membranes (MBUR), typically installed with two plies. Although low-slope asphalt roof membranes provide a very long service life, at some point they will need to be replaced, and when removed, the asphalt (and other components) can be recycled or re-purposed, ensuring the product does not end up in landfill.
In many ways, recycling of these products is similar to shingle recycling, but there are some important differences. Both products contain asphalt, a reinforcing fabric, and a mineral component. The asphalt in shingles is usually a harder ‘oxidized’ grade, and the shingles’ mass consists of a significant percentage of inert mineral powder and colored granules. The asphalt in BUR roofs is also oxidized, but there is generally much less fine mineral matter and granules. The asphalt in MBUR roofs is a polymer-modified softer asphalt, and the reinforcement differs from that used in shingles and BUR.
Most significantly, there is a much higher percentage of asphalt content in low-slope asphalt roofing than there is in asphalt shingles, which is of great value to pavers and other end-users.
To learn more on the latest regarding these innovative technology developments, consult individual ARMA member company websites via the ARMA Member Directory.
This infographic illustrates the asphalt shingle recycling process and its benefits to the environment.
ARMA Cool Roofing Goals are to:
- Provide effective solutions that allow options, flexibility and choice
- Ensure fair and technically sound criteria and presentation for our products
- Maintain consumer choice
Codes and Standards:
- ASHRAE 90.1
- ASHRAE 189.1
- California Title 24, Part 6
- CALGreen
- International Green Construction Code
- USGBC LEED
ARMA views roof surface reflectance as but one component of the Whole Building Approach as an appropriate regulatory policy and design principle for energy conservation, mitigation of urban heat islands, and improved air quality. The Whole Building Approach is the best option for designing and optimizing performance-based, proven and cost effective commercial and residential buildings. It allows flexibility and consumer choice in the selection of roof systems.
The 2022 California Building Energy Efficiency Standard for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings (2022 Title 24) is the official code passed by the state and the 2022 Residential and Nonresidential Compliance Manuals are guidance document that helps explain the code and answers some commonly asked questions.
The 2022 Title 24, Part 6 Standards are broken down into two segments, Residential and Non-Residential. Title 24, Part 6 of California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standard is the section of the code relevant to the roofing industry as it includes performance and prescriptive requirements pertaining to roof assemblies.
The 2022 Title 24 Code and Compliance Manuals are available on the California Energy Commission’s website at: https://www.energy.ca.gov/publications/2022/2022-building-energy-efficiency-standards-residential-and-nonresidential
ARMA Cool Roof White Papers
Additional Information
*The ARMA program previously known as QARC is now known as Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards Program. Information about the program can be accessed at this link: https://www.asphaltroofing.org/excellence. The proposed legislation referenced in the article (i.e., S. 2388 and H.R. 4740) did not become law. Consult your local building authority for roof reflectivity requirements in your area.
Along with recycling opportunities and reflective cool roof options, environmental impact information regarding an array of asphalt roofing products is available for building design professionals. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) has led industry members in a coordinated and proactive effort to determine accurate Product Category Rules (PCR’s) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD’s).
Product Category Rules
ARMA partnered with UL Environment to develop Product Category Rules (PCR’s) for asphalt roofing in North America. The asphalt roofing PCR’s provides consistent methodologies for asphalt roofing manufacturers to measure and report the expected environmental impact of their products. This document can be accessed for free on UL Environment’s website at the following link https://www.shopulstandards.com/ProductDetail.aspx?productId=ULE10010-11_3_S_20210524
Environmental Product Declarations
ARMA has completed a multi-year effort to develop Environmental Product Declarations (EPD’s) for asphalt roofing systems. These eleven documents provide information that building and construction professionals can use both to support environmental aspects of roof systems as part of sustainable building projects and to better understand their impact over time. EPD’s are now available for asphalt shingle roofing systems, SBS and APP modified bitumen systems, and built-up roofing systems. The documents are available at the UL Spot website or through the links below.
Environmental Product Declarations
ARMA has completed a multi-year effort to develop Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for asphalt roofing systems. These eleven documents provide information that building and construction professionals can use both to support environmental aspects of roof systems as part of sustainable building projects and to better understand their impact over time. EPDs are now available for asphalt shingle roofing systems, SBS and APP modified bitumen systems, and built-up roofing systems.
Click the links below to view each EPD:
EPDs are now available in French translation for asphalt shingle roofing systems, SBS and APP modified bitumen systems, and built-up roofing systems.
Click the links below to view each French Translated EPD:
