The Greening of the Rooftop

Module 9

Other Green Roofing Options

Roofing Green

Other Green Options

• Low VOC Materials

• Roof Recycling

Green Materials:

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Solvent-Based Roofing Adhesives

VOCs

Source: US EPA

Green Materials:

VOCs and Ground Level Ozone

Source: US EPA

• Water-based adhesives

• High-solids adhesives

• Urethane adhesives

Low-VOC Alternatives

Green Materials:

Reducing VOCs

Alternative:

Water-Based

High-Solids

Urethanes

Limitations:

Freezing, Slow Flash-Off

Primer Frequently Required

Complicated & Relatively Expensive

Typical Example:

Latex Paint

Tapes

Foam Adhesive

2-Part Adhesive

Green Materials:

Reducing VOCs

• 160 Million Tons Of Construction Waste

• 40 Million Tons of Roofing Waste • 25%+ of Total Construction Waste

Annual U.S. Landfill Waste

Source: US EPA (1998)

Green Materials:

Construction Waste

Green Materials:

Roof Recycling

• Asphalt Shingles / Wood Shakes: Local and regional recyclers are developing roof recycling programs.

• Single-Plies: Several roofing manufacturers and trade associations have initiated recycling pilot programs for some single-ply membranes.

• Metal Roofing: The metal industries have well-established recycling programs.

Roof Recycling Example

Asphalt Shingle Recycling

Source: American Roofing Recyclers, Snohomish, WA.

Asphalt Shingles

Paving Additives Roof Flood Coat Dressing

Roof Recycling Example

Wood Shake Recycling

Source: American Roofing Recyclers, Snohomish, WA.

Wood Shakes

Cedar Mulch

Fuel

Roof Recycling Example

PVC Membrane Recycling

1

Cut

2

Roll

3

Stack & Palletize

4

Grind & Pelletize

Source: Sika-Sarnafil

1

Windrow & Sweep

2

Cut & Stack

3

Chop

4

Grind Sieve & Package

5

Recycle

6

Roof Recycling Example

EPDM Membrane Recycling

Source: EPDM Roofing Association

Benefits: Current Limitations:

Economics do not currently support recycling

Only available in a regional pilot programs for selected products

Logistics (removal, storage, transportation) are difficult

Recyclers must have an assured supply before end markets can be fully developed

Landfill waste reduced

Overall environmental impact reduced

Roof Recycling

Benefits & Limitations