Shingle Recycling Committee Update

By: Dan Horton

The Shingle Recycling Committee held a productive meeting, welcoming special guests Fausto Bisanti, a PhD student from the University of New Hampshire, and Dr. Emily Parker from the Vermont Agency of Transportation. Fausto presented his research using recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) as a mechanical stabilizer in full-depth reclamation (FDR) road construction. Fausto's work aims to leverage the high volume of waste shingles produced annually, over 10 million tons nationally and 25,000 tons in Vermont alone. The study is evaluating the environmental impacts and optimal RAS content for FDR, with promising preliminary results showing minimal differences between FDR material and FDR with up to 15%RAS. The committee discussed the potential for RAS to be a high-volume, low-risk application. The research includes third-party testing to determine if RAS contains any environmental contaminants.

We look forward to an update on this research in 2025.

The committee received an update on the progress of the shinglerecycling.org website, which is on track to be completed by the end of January. The group discussed making the recently completed Contractor Guide available on the site, requiring non-members to fill out a short form providing contact information to download.

Additionally, the group reviewed the new Federal Highway Administration low-carbon transportation materials grant program, which provides significant funding opportunities for states to research and implement innovative, low-carbon road construction techniques. The committee plans to engage with the FHWA stakeholder group to ensure the shingle recycling industry's interests are represented as the program takes shape.

The meeting also touched on the committee's best practices guide, developed with an EPA grant in 2007. The group is considering updating this guide as a project for 2025 and encouraged members to provide input on this initiative. The next committee meeting will take place on February 11, 2025, and we welcome all CDRA members to attend.