Asphalt Shingle Recycling in Wisconsin: What Happens to Your Old Roof
- Jon Torre
- Jul 2, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: May 18
In Wisconsin, your roof doesn’t have to go to waste.
It can go to work.
Every year, thousands of tons of asphalt shingles are recycled into the roads we drive on, cutting carbon, saving money, and keeping waste out of landfills. And if you're in Dane County, you’re already part of one of the most effective roofing recycling programs in the country.
At Sun Vault Roofing, we think you should feel proud when your old roof becomes part of something bigger, like roads, highways, and community infrastructure. In Dane County, your shingles enter a well-established recycling system that turns waste into new roads.
Asphalt Shingle Recycling in Wisconsin: Key Takeaways
Your old roof becomes new roads — Asphalt shingles in Wisconsin are recycled into pavement, not landfills.
Recycling starts on-site — Proper tear-off and sorting make the system work.
Dane County is making a real impact — 34,000+ tons recycled in 2025, avoiding ~1,800 metric tons of CO₂, and winning the DNR Recycling Excellence Award.
The benefits add up — Equal to 4.5 million fewer driving miles or 200,000 gallons of gasoline saved.
No trade-offs on performance — Recycled asphalt is built to handle Wisconsin winters.
Sustainable and cost-effective — Recycling reduces waste and helps control material and disposal costs.
If you are considering a roof replacement, find out if your current roof shingles can be recycled in Dane County with a free roof inspection from Sunvault Roofing. Click below to get started today.
Are Asphalt Shingles Sustainable? What Wisconsin Homeowners Should Know
Homeowners who prioritize sustainability often ask whether asphalt shingles are recyclable. Or if metal roofs are the only sustainable option.
Metal is infinitely recyclable, it's true. But here’s what most people don’t realize:
So is asphalt.
And asphalt shingles are everywhere! They're the most common roofing material in America, and programs like the one in Dane County are proving that mass-market materials can still be part of a climate-conscious solution.
At Sun Vault Roofing, sustainability is built into how we operate. Learn more about who we are and what we stand for.
How Does Asphalt Shingle Recycling Work in Southern Wisconsin?
When your old roof comes off, it doesn’t go to waste. It enters a regional recycling chain that transforms it into new infrastructure.
Here’s how it works in Wisconsin:
Remove shingles: Old shingles are stripped from the roof during tear-off.
Transport to a drop site: We haul the debris to an approved recycling site, such as the Dane County landfill.
Grind into asphalt mix: Kafka Granite picks up the material, then grinds it into a fine dust at their facility in Mosinee, WI.
Pave it forward: Contractors like Northeast Asphalt and American Asphalt of Wisconsin incorporate the recycled content into new hot mix asphalt, which is used to pave roads throughout the state.
In fact, asphalt roads in Wisconsin can contain up to 5% recycled shingle content. And that’s not theoretical. It’s already happening.
Recycling Starts at the Job Site
In practice, asphalt shingle recycling starts on your property, not at the landfill.
During a roof replacement, multiple material streams are managed simultaneously. Asphalt shingles are separated immediately and placed in a dedicated dumpster for recycling, while metal drip edge, nails, plastic packaging, and other debris are sorted separately during the tear-off.
A well-managed roofing project doesn’t just recycle shingles. Metal drip edge, aluminum vents, flashing, and even abandoned satellite dishes can often be recycled when handled properly. We regularly remove outdated satellite hardware during replacements or inspections and ensure it is responsibly recycled through local programs. If you’re curious why leaving old dishes in place is more than just an aesthetic issue, read our full guide to satellite dish removal and preventative roof maintenance.
To an untrained eye, this can look chaotic. In reality, it’s intentional. Proper on-site sorting is what makes recycling possible at scale and prevents clean shingles from being rejected or sent to a landfill.
When the load arrives at the recycling facility, the process is straightforward. Clean, sorted shingles move through quickly and into the recycling stream, while other materials are handled through their appropriate channels. The system works best when the separation is done right from the start, which is why we treat it as part of doing the job correctly, not an afterthought.
Why Asphalt Shingle Recycling Is an Eco-Friendly Solution in Wisconsin
Asphalt is the most recycled material in the world. Unlike concrete, which cures chemically, asphalt simply heats and cools, making it easy to reuse without loss of performance. Recycling asphalt shingles reduces the need for energy-intensive virgin materials, making it one of the most eco-friendly roofing disposal options available at scale.
Recycled shingles help reduce the demand for virgin asphalt binder and aggregate, both of which are energy-intensive to produce. And modern asphalt mixes are built to handle Wisconsin’s freeze-thaw cycles, so recycled content doesn’t mean lower quality.
Can Roads Made with Recycled Shingles Handle Wisconsin Winters?
Absolutely. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, these mixes are engineered to flex with freeze-thaw cycles and meet the same performance standards as traditional asphalt. In short: they're built for Wisconsin.
Dane County’s CO₂ Savings from Asphalt Shingle Recycling
In 2025, Dane County recycled over 34 thousand tons of shingles. Or 1800 metric tons of CO₂ savings.
This is equivalent to
Eliminating 4.5 million driving miles
Saving 200 thousand gallons of gasoline
Powering 275 to 325 homes for a year
And the impact of Dane County's program is continuing to grow each year! The county has increased the total amount of shingle material recycled by nearly 10x since 2020.
How 2026 Storms Are Driving Shingle Recycling Demand
Early signs suggest that 2026 could be another strong year for asphalt shingle recycling, with storm activity from the Super El Niño playing a major role.
Through the first quarter, recycling volumes are already tracking closely with 2025 levels. Recent hailstorms and the likelihood of continued severe weather are expected to drive a new wave of roof replacements, which directly increases the volume of recyclable shingles.
Why storms matter for shingle recycling:
Hail and wind damage lead to full roof replacements, not just repairs
More replacements = more tear-offs entering the recycling stream
Recycling volumes often spike weeks to months after major storms
Localized storms can create regional surges, even in otherwise slower markets
This trend helps explain why recycling volumes can grow rapidly even when broader roofing demand appears flat. In past years, storm-driven projects have been a key factor behind major increases in shingle recycling totals.
What this means for 2026:
Volumes are on pace with 2025 so far
Early storm activity suggests continued upward pressure on recycling totals
Final numbers will depend heavily on weather patterns throughout the year
The takeaway is straightforward: severe weather doesn’t just impact roofs—it directly fuels shingle recycling at scale.
Shingle Recycling in Wisconsin and Nationwide: The Bigger Picture
Kafka Granite also collects used shingles from Outagamie, Brown, and other Wisconsin counties. Their Mosinee facility processes up to 35,000 tons of shingles annually, material that would otherwise go to landfills.
Nationwide, the story is similar. According to the EPA and shinglerecycling.org, over 15 million tons of asphalt shingles are removed every year, but only 9–20% of the total is currently recycled. That’s a lot of potential going to waste.
If the U.S. recycled all of its annual asphalt shingle waste, we could avoid about 1.4 million tons of CO₂ emissions each year. Removing almost 250,000 cars from the road would have an equivalent climate impact.
Is Shingle Recycling Cheaper Than the Landfill?
Yes. In Dane County, recycling clean, sorted asphalt shingles typically costs around $62 per ton. While that’s slightly higher than published rates for general mixed garbage ($58), asphalt shingles are generally not accepted as mixed waste at local landfills.
When shingles are disposed of unsorted, contractors often face much higher custom disposal fees, longer haul distances, or difficulty finding facilities that will accept the material at all. In practice, unsorted shingle disposal is usually more expensive and less predictable than recycling.
That’s why Sun Vault Roofing separates shingles on-site and uses approved recycling programs. It’s the most compliant, efficient way to handle roofing waste in southern Wisconsin, and it keeps thousands of tons of material out of landfills each year.
How Asphalt Recycling Saves Money for You and Your Community
The financial benefits of asphalt shingle recycling don't stop at disposal. Agencies that incorporate recycled shingles into asphalt mixes save money, too. According to industry data, recycled pavement and shingles saved U.S. taxpayers more than $3.5 billion in construction costs in 2021 alone. For large paving jobs, using recycled shingles can cut material costs by $3–5 per ton, adding up to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings per project.
Is Asphalt as Sustainable as Metal Roofing?
Some homeowners gravitate toward metal roofs because they’re seen as the more sustainable choice. And yes, metal is endlessly recyclable. But so is asphalt. Programs like Dane County’s level the playing field, making it possible to choose asphalt for style, cost, or performance without compromising your values.
Your roof won’t end up in a landfill. At Sun Vault Roofing, when we recycle your shingles, they don’t sit in a dump. They help build the infrastructure we all rely on.
When recycled properly, shingles hold their own against metal on the sustainability front. But when it comes to cost? It’s not even close. Asphalt wins. See how in our full metal vs. asphalt comparison.
Don't let your climate guilt make you pay 2.5x for a shiny house lid that sounds like a snare drum in a rainstorm. Your asphalt roof can have a sustainable second life, too.
Sun Vault Roofing’s Commitment to Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Roofing in Wisconsin
At Sun Vault Roofing, we’re proud to participate in shingle recycling programs that reduce waste and support sustainable infrastructure across Wisconsin. If you’re replacing your roof and care about where those shingles end up, you’ve come to the right place. For homeowners who care about making eco-friendly choices without sacrificing performance or affordability, asphalt shingle recycling offers a practical, proven path forward.
Ready for a new roof that performs and makes a difference? Schedule your free inspection today.
P.S. Thinking About Solar Too?
If you’re already committed to a smarter, more sustainable home, asphalt recycling is just the start. Our solar roofing systems integrate seamlessly into your new roof: no racks, no eyesores, and no compromise.
Asphalt Shingle Recycling in Wisconsin: FAQS
1. Are asphalt shingles really recyclable in Wisconsin?
Yes. In southern Wisconsin, including Dane County, asphalt shingles are routinely recycled through established programs. Clean shingles are processed and reused in hot mix asphalt for roads and highways.
2. What happens to my shingles after they’re removed?
After the tear-off, shingles are sorted and transported to a recycling site. From there, they are ground into material that’s incorporated into new asphalt pavement used across the state.
3. Does using recycled shingles make roads weaker?
No. Asphalt mixes with recycled shingles are engineered to meet the same performance standards as traditional asphalt. They are designed specifically to handle Wisconsin’s freeze-thaw cycles.
4. Is recycling shingles more expensive than throwing them away?
In most cases, no. While recycling costs can be similar to landfill rates, shingles are often not accepted as standard mixed waste. Unsorted disposal can lead to higher fees and limited options, making recycling the more reliable and cost-effective approach.
5. Is asphalt roofing a sustainable choice compared to metal?
It can be. While metal is fully recyclable, asphalt shingles can also be reused at scale through programs like Dane County’s. When properly recycled, asphalt becomes part of a circular system, making it a practical and sustainable option for many homeowners.
