How to Dispose of Roofing Shingles
Asphalt shingles are heavy, and a full roof tear-off generates a lot more of them than most homeowners expect — often more than one standard container can hold.
1. Sell It
Unlike lumber or metal, old asphalt shingles essentially have no resale value once removed from a roof — this is one material where selling isn't a realistic option.
2. Donate It
Shingles aren't accepted as building-material donations at Habitat ReStores or similar organizations, since they're a single-use roofing product, not a reusable material like lumber or fixtures.
3. Recycle It
This is the one that surprises people: asphalt shingle recycling is real and reasonably widespread — reclaimed shingles get processed into aggregate for road paving in many regions. Not every facility accepts them, so check first. Find a shingle recycler on CDRA → or search Earth911 →.
4. Dispose of It
For most roofing tear-offs, a dumpster rented specifically for the job is the standard approach — shingles are dense enough that sizing for weight, not just container size, matters as much as it does for concrete.
NorthPoint's Roofing Debris page covers sizing and pricing specifics for this exact material.
5. What This Actually Costs
A standard single-family roof tear-off typically generates one to one-and-a-half tons of shingle debris per 1,000 square feet of roof, per layer being removed — which is why sizing by roof square footage, not just guessing a container size, gets you a more accurate price up front.
Common Questions
How many layers of shingles can one container handle?
It depends on the container size and total square footage — a single-layer tear-off on an average roof typically fits a 15-yard, while multiple layers or a larger roof often needs a 20-yard given the added weight. See our roofing debris page for sizing guidance.
Does roofing underlayment or felt paper count as shingle waste?
Yes, standard underlayment and felt paper are accepted along with the shingles as part of a normal tear-off.
Is metal roofing disposed of the same way as asphalt shingles?
Metal roofing can generally go in the same container, though it's worth mentioning when you book since metal panels behave differently than bundled shingles in terms of bulk.
Why does shingle weight matter more than it seems like it should?
Shingles are dense — a container full of shingles can weigh three to four times what the same container weighs full of typical mixed debris, which is why sizing around actual roof square footage matters more here than for most materials.
How do I estimate how many tons my roof tear-off will generate?
As a rough rule, a single layer of asphalt shingles on an average roof runs about one to one-and-a-half tons per 1,000 square feet of roof area — multiply by the number of layers being removed for a rough total.
Does the roofer or the homeowner usually handle disposal?
Either — some roofing contractors include dumpster rental in their bid, while others expect the homeowner to arrange it separately. Confirm which applies before your project starts so a container isn't ordered twice.
Can flashing, gutters, or vents go in with shingle debris?
Yes, standard roofing hardware and flashing removed during a tear-off can go in the same container as the shingles.
What happens if my shingles have algae staining or moss?
That doesn't change how they're disposed of — cosmetic staining or moss growth doesn't affect the material's weight-based disposal handling.
Related Disposal Guides
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