CDRA Shingle Recycling Committee: Momentum Building Across the Industry
The CDRA Shingle Recycling Committee met this month to share updates on industry partnerships, upcoming events, legislative tools, and new research that will help grow markets for recycled asphalt shingles (RAS).
One important discussion focused on manufacturer collaboration. The conversation reinforced the need for continued collaboration among manufacturers, contractors, and recyclers to improve material recovery and keep shingles out of landfills.
Planning is well underway for the CDRA Shingle Recycling Forum, scheduled for October 13–15 at the Marriott in Raleigh, North Carolina. The committee is aiming to increase attendance to 160 participants—up from 131 last year—and is actively recruiting speakers and industry experts. A professor from North Carolina State University will present on asphalt activation in hot-mix plants, and members are exploring additional sessions on alternative uses for recycled shingles, including unbound road materials. Volunteers are welcome to attend the Programming Task Force meeting on March 13.
On the advocacy front, the committee reviewed tools like BillTrack50, which helps track legislation across states and supports proactive engagement with policymakers. Sharing information across CDRA members can make it easier to respond to proposed regulations and advance supportive recycling policies.
A major milestone is also underway with the industry’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study for recycled asphalt shingles. Led by CDRA volunteers and industry partners, the study will create environmental footprint data to support Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and demonstrate the sustainability benefits of recycled shingles. Twenty companies have been contacted so far, with ten already committed to participate. Data collection will continue through the end of March, and all submissions will remain confidential.
Finally, work has begun on CDRA’s Best Practices Guide Version 2.0, with the first chapter under review using AI-assisted tools. Member input will be critical to ensure the updated guide reflects real-world experience and supports safe, efficient recycling operations.
Overall, the committee’s work shows strong momentum—from research and policy engagement to forum planning and member collaboration. CDRA encourages members to get involved by joining planning calls, contributing to the LCA study, and sharing success stories from the field.
The next Shingle Recycling Committee meeting will be held on April 14, 2026