Cherry operation turns asphalt shingles into roadbed materials.
Houston-based demolition and deconstruction specialist Cherry is now accepting “clean,” residential composition asphalt shingles for recycling at its recycling facility at 616 FM 521, Fresno. Cherry accepts used and manufacturer waste shingles at no charge, and plans to open additional shingle-recycling locations in Houston.
“By ‘clean,’ we mean that a load of shingles must not contain any wood, paper or other debris,” said Wesley Guidry, General Manager of Cherry’s Portable Recycling Division. “However, we will accept metal flashing for recycling. And, we will supply trash bags and dumpsters for disposal of paper and debris generated from shingle job sites—all at no charge.”
Guidry explained that Cherry will use special grinder machines to process the shingles into material for use in roadbeds and as dust suppressants for crushed concrete roads throughout Texas.
“Shingles are a valuable resource and shouldn’t be tossed into landfills,” says Bill Turley, executive director of the Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA). “Because this type of residential shingle is 100 percent recyclable, transforming it into usable roadbed material is the right thing to do for the environment.”
According to the CMRA, approximately 11 million tons of waste shingles are generated nationally each year. Of this total, the organization estimates that only 1-2 million tons are being recycled for further use, with the remainder ending up in landfills.
“Asphalt shingle recycling helps reduce construction and demolition waste, which is the goal of many states as well as the Environmental Protection Agency,” Guidry added. “In addition, shingle recycling contributes to sustainability in construction practices, as well as green building objectives.”
Cherry already recycles more than one million tons of concrete and 40,000 tons of steel each year, and is considered one of the biggest recyclers in the state of Texas.
