Owens Corning expands nation's largest shingle recycling program

Owens Corning Roofing created the nation's first shingle recycling program in 2009 and it has since grown to be the most successful initiative in the country for the proper disposal of these materials. To date, the company has worked with contractors and consumers to recycle more than 80,000 tons of asphalt shingles, which factors out to saving about 80,000 barrels of oil. Owens Corning decided to take the program one step further by partnering with Earth911, Inc. to allow customers to use Earth911's expansive database to easily recycle these products.

"This new alliance with Owens Corning Roofing represents a tremendous opportunity for contractors and consumers to make a difference through this new method of reducing waste, which saves valuable petroleum in the form of asphalt," said Barry Monheit, CEO of Earth911. "We commend Owens Corning for its leadership in driving sustainable business practices in the building materials industry."

In addition to helping customers find the proper receptacles for their spent shingles, Owens Corning also offers its Contractor Locator, which allows consumers to find a building professional who practices sustainability. Additionally, the company will offer a number of how-to videos to help customers learn about sustainable roofing replacement practices and improving the energy-efficiency of their homes.

"The more we help to expand the network of contractors who recycle, the faster we can reduce the amount of needless construction debris in landfills," said Sheree Bargabos, president of Owens Corning Roofing.

Business ventures like these are bright spots for the building industry, and the partnership between Owens Corning's successful recycling program and Earth911 is a no-brainer.
This initiative will help countless consumers find contractors who dispose of their building materials responsibly and provide helpful tips on how do to recycle these materials themselves.