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Media Advisory: EPA invites trade media to recycling forums on foundry sand/asphalt shingles October 31 and November 1-2

Release Date: 10/25/2007
Contact Information: Karen Thompson, 312-353-8547, [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 07-OPA196

(Chicago, Ill. - Oct. 25, 2007) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 is inviting trade media to two forums on the use of recycled materials for engineered products and highway applications.

The first workshop will be held Wednesday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Co-sponsored by EPA, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Foundry Industry Recycling Starts Today (FIRST), it will focus on re-using spent foundry sand, which is a byproduct of the metal casting industry, in a wide variety of infrastructure applications. Design guidelines, testing methods, specifications, and informative case histories will be presented along with research on end uses such as hot mix asphalt, structural fills, embankments and retaining structures. It is expected that more than 50 representatives from state environmental and transportation agencies, academia and the foundry industry will attend.

Nov. 1-2, the latest recycling techniques and markets for asphalt shingles will be presented at the 3rd Asphalt Shingle Recycling Forum. The event is co-sponsored by EPA, FHWA and the Construction Materials Recycling Association. Forum topics will be exclusively related to recycled asphalt shingles including technology, engineering and mix designs for modified asphalts, environmental issues, worker health and safety considerations, and economics. It is expected that more than 200 representatives from state environmental and transportation agencies, asphalt shingle manufacturers, processors, recyclers and roofing contractors will attend. The sessions will begin at 8:30 a.m. each day.

The goal of both forums is to present the latest research and to work together to advance technology and further develop markets for spent foundry sands and asphalt shingles. Presentations and panel discussions will be held with leading experts on challenges and opportunities in recycling. In addition, exhibitors will provide information on the latest recycling equipment and services.

Both forums will be held at the Ralph Metcalfe Federal Building, 77 W. Jackson Blvd. Information on the forums, including agendas and registration information, is available at http://www.foundryrecycling.org and http://www.shinglerecycling.org.