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Tear-off asphalt shingles recycling project receives $74,625 innovation grant

Release Date: 5/27/2005
Contact Information:

CONTACT: Kären Thompson, (312) 353-8547

For Immediate Release
No. 05-OPA082

CHICAGO (May 27, 2005) — The Construction Materials Recycling Association, in partnership with numerous Minnesota state and private enterprises, has received a $74,625 grant from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for an asphalt shingle recycling project.

Partners include the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, Pollution Control Agency and Department of Transportation, the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, Bituminous Roadways, Inc., Johnson Farms and Dan Kravit and Associates.

"More than 11 million tons of waste shingles, mainly from tear-offs, are generated each year in the United States," said Mary Setnicar, EPA Region 5 Pollution Prevention and Programs Initiatives chief. "Recycling asphalt shingles is a growing industry that could divert millions of tons of materials from landfills while creating jobs and generating revenue."

This project is expected to accelerate post-consumer asphalt shingle recycling by using them as a supplement to hot-mix asphalt for road construction and other pavement purposes.

Private industry will work with state regulators to develop best practices to protect worker health and the environment while addressing the practicality of the commercialization of tear-off shingle recycling technology.

For additional information, visit the EPA OSWER Innovations web site at: www.epa.gov/oswer/iwg.htm or shinglerecycling.org .