Replacing a roof can leave behind a surprising amount of material: asphalt shingles, underlayment, flashing, metal vents, nails, wood, plastic packaging, and sometimes older products that require special handling. In Brockport, NY, the right disposal method depends on the material, its condition, and whether it may contain asbestos or chemical residue.
Can old asphalt shingles be recycled?
Yes. Clean, separated asphalt shingles may be accepted by registered construction and demolition debris handling and recovery facilities. New York State recognizes asphalt roofing shingles and roofing paper as recyclable construction materials when they do not contain friable asbestos. These materials may be processed for recovery, including use in recycled asphalt products. ([dec.ny.gov](https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/waste-management/solid-waste-management-facilities/construction-demolition-debris-processing?utm_source=openai))
Recycling is usually handled through a construction-and-demolition debris facility rather than a household curbside recycling program. Residents should verify acceptance before loading a vehicle because facilities can set limits based on material type, contamination, quantity, and whether the waste came from a household or a business.
A typical load may include:
- Asphalt shingles
- Roofing felt or asphalt roofing paper
- Small amounts of roofing nails
- Clean metal flashing, vents, and drip edge, if accepted separately
Shingles should not be mixed with household trash, cardboard, plastic wrap, insulation, wet materials, or general demolition debris unless the receiving facility specifically allows mixed loads.
What roofing materials are usually recyclable?
The most recyclable roofing materials are those that are clean, dry, and separated by type.
Metal roofing components such as aluminum flashing, copper, steel vents, and metal drip edge may be accepted as scrap metal. Remove as much attached roofing cement, wood, insulation, and plastic as reasonably possible.
Asphalt shingles can often be recycled through a construction-and-demolition facility. Small amounts of nails are commonly tolerated by facilities equipped to process shingles, but loose metal should not be assumed to belong in a curbside recycling bin.
Untreated wood, including clean roof sheathing or undamaged framing scraps, may be recoverable through a facility that accepts source-separated wood. Painted, pressure-treated, glued, or heavily contaminated wood may follow different rules.
Clay, concrete, or slate roofing may sometimes be accepted with masonry or aggregate. These materials are heavy, so transportation and load limits matter.
Roofing products that are still usable may have a limited reuse value, but salvaged shingles are difficult to reuse once removed because their sealing strips may be damaged and their condition is hard to verify. Undamaged metal panels, slate pieces, tiles, or specialty components are more practical candidates for reuse.
How should roofing waste be separated before transport?
Sorting at the property makes recycling more likely and reduces rejected loads. Keep the following groups separate:
- Asphalt shingles and roofing paper
- Scrap metal
- Clean wood
- Masonry, tile, or concrete
- Plastic packaging and household garbage
- Insulation, carpet, drywall, or other unrelated debris
Shake loose dirt from shingles, but do not wash them. Wet roofing waste becomes heavier and may create runoff or handling problems. Keep debris covered during transport, especially during Brockport’s windy and changeable weather. A secured tarp also helps prevent nails, shingle pieces, and paper from blowing into streets or neighboring yards.
Use sturdy containers or a properly secured trailer. Roofing debris is dense and sharp; ordinary thin trash bags can tear easily. Wear gloves and avoid reaching into loose piles by hand because nails can remain hidden beneath shingles.
What should happen to old roofing cement and sealers?
Roofing cement, tar-like compounds, solvent-based products, and driveway or asphalt sealers should not be mixed with recyclable shingles if they are in containers or still liquid. Monroe County’s ecopark identifies driveway, asphalt, and concrete sealers, along with glues, caulk, solvents, and related products, as household hazardous waste requiring an appointment. ([monroecounty.gov](https://www.monroecounty.gov/ecopark?utm_source=openai))
Do not pour these materials onto soil, into drains, or into stormwater systems. Keep products in their original containers when possible, close the lids securely, and follow the county’s current appointment and acceptance instructions. Dried residue attached to ordinary roofing material is different from a container of unused liquid product, but the receiving facility should make the final determination.
How can homeowners recognize a possible asbestos problem?
Older roofing materials may contain asbestos, including some shingles, roofing felts, coatings, and cement products. New York State identifies roofing shingles and roofing paper among building materials that may contain asbestos. Friable asbestos—material that can crumble or release fibers easily—must not be sent to an ordinary construction-and-demolition recycling facility. ([dec.ny.gov](https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/waste-management/solid-waste-management-facilities/construction-demolition-debris-processing?utm_source=openai))
Warning signs include:
- Roofing installed many decades ago
- Cement-like shingles or rigid panels
- Unusual layered paper or coating beneath the roof
- Materials whose age or composition is unknown
- Dust, crumbling edges, or damaged surfaces
Visual inspection cannot reliably confirm asbestos. Do not break, grind, saw, sweep, or pressure-wash questionable material. Keep it isolated and obtain guidance from an appropriately qualified asbestos professional or the relevant New York State authority before moving or disposing of it. Friable asbestos is not a routine recycling item.
Is roofing waste accepted at the Monroe County ecopark?
The ecopark is designed for household hazardous waste, electronics, appliances, pharmaceuticals, tires, and other specialty materials. Its published list specifically excludes general building materials such as wood, carpeting, concrete, drywall, and asbestos. That means ordinary shingles and roofing debris should not be taken there unless the county’s current material search or staff confirms a special program. ([monroecounty.gov](https://www.monroecounty.gov/ecopark?utm_source=openai))
For residents, the county’s online “How Do I Recycle?” search tool is useful for checking unusual materials before a trip. Roofing waste may instead need to go to a registered construction-and-demolition debris facility or an authorized waste hauler that accepts source-separated shingles.
The Village of Brockport’s public works information also directs residents to their garbage hauler for discarded household items and to Monroe County for household hazardous waste guidance. ([brockportny.gov](https://brockportny.gov/public-works/?utm_source=openai))
What is the safest practical process?
A straightforward approach is:
1. Identify the roofing materials and estimate the quantity.
2. Separate shingles, metal, wood, masonry, and household garbage.
3. Set aside liquids, sealers, adhesives, and unknown older materials.
4. Check the receiving facility’s rules before loading.
5. Ask specifically whether the facility accepts residential asphalt shingles.
6. Cover and secure the load during transport.
7. Keep receipts or disposal records for larger projects.
Do not assume that a facility accepting construction debris accepts every roofing product. Contamination, asbestos concerns, excessive moisture, and mixed loads are common reasons recyclable material is rejected and sent for disposal.
Can roofing waste go in the regular trash?
Small amounts of ordinary, non-hazardous roofing debris may be accepted by a private waste hauler, but this is not the same as recycling. Curbside recycling programs generally are not designed for shingles, roofing felt, nails, or construction debris. Local collection rules may also limit the size and weight of household trash.
For a larger reroofing project, confirm the disposal method before work begins. Keeping recyclable materials separate from the start is usually more effective than trying to sort a mixed, wet dumpster load later.
