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How to Dispose of Shingles

Q: What size is a square of shingles?

Roof surfaces are measured in “squares,” with one square being the quantity of shingles needed to cover 100 square feet. For example, a 2,000 square-foot roof will require 20 squares of shingles.

Q: How much do shingles weigh?

The total weight of your shingles depends on what material they’re made from. One square of shingles, or 100 square feet of shingles, weighs about: - 230-250 pounds for three-tab asphalt shingles. - 400-430 pounds for architectural asphalt shingles. - 800-1,000 pounds for slate shingles.

Q: How many square feet is my roof?

The average roof size for homes in the U.S. is 1,700 square feet, or 17 squares of shingles. However, larger homes with garages often exceed 3,000 square feet, or 30 squares, of roof space. Since it can be difficult and dangerous to climb on the roof and measure it yourself, you can estimate the size of your roof by multiplying your home's square footage by 1.5. For example, a 2,000 square foot house will need about 3,000 square feet, or 30 squares, of shingles.

Q: Can I dispose of other roofing materials along with shingles?

Most dumpster rentals will allow you to get rid of all your roofing materials in one bin, including tar paper, wood, roofing gravel, nails, flashing and trim. However, a shingle recycler may only accept shingles and nails.

Q: How do I know if I need a new roof?

If your roof is more than 20 years old, it should be replaced. Other signs you need a new roof include: - Curling shingles. - Missing or damaged shingles. - Leaks in your attic or ceiling. Extend the life of your roof with regular roof maintenance, such as cleaning your gutters and trimming overgrown branches. If you’re concerned about your roof’s condition, you can hire a professional to examine it and see if it needs to be replaced.

Q: What type of shingle should I install?

The right type of shingle for your roof depends on your budget, home size and location. If you live in an area that’s predisposed to hurricanes or wildfires, consider a shingle with good wind resistance or an excellent fire rating.

Q: What DIY roofing safety tips should I keep in mind?

Roofing jobs are difficult and can be dangerous. Consider hiring a professional to complete any big roofing job, and avoid accidents with these roofing safety tips: - Wear appropriate footwear, like steel-toed boots. - Do not climb on the roof alone. - Install toe holds on the roof to maintain traction while working. - Wear a safety harness while climbing on the roof. - Work slowly and carefully. - Do not work on the roof during bad weather.

Blue Dumpster Filled With Shingles and Roofing Debris

The Complete Roof Shingle Disposal Guide

Repairing and replacing your roof is a big job. You’ll need to plan for removal, choose a new look for the roof and hire professional help for installation, in addition to figuring out what to do with your old shingles. Whether you’re looking for a cost-effective solution for roofing material disposal or wondering what your shingle recycling options are, this guide will help you prepare for your project.

Types of Roofing Shingles and Tiles

The material you’re getting rid of will narrow down your shingle disposal options. Types of roof shingles and tiles include:

Asphalt shingles
Slate shingles
Wood shingles
Clay tiles
Concrete tiles

Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material for residential properties. Additional roofing materials to dispose of include felt paper, wood, underlayment, roofing gravel, flashing and trim.

Roof Shingle Disposal Options

1. Rent a Roll Off Dumpster

The easiest way to dispose of shingles is with a dumpster rental. We offer a range of roll off dumpster sizes to fit your project, and can accept all types of roofing materials, shingles and tiles in the same bin. You can rent the container for the entire length of your project, allowing you to work at your own pace. Once you’re done, simply schedule a pickup online and have the debris hauled away quickly.

Dumpster Filled With Shingles on Blueprint Background

Benefits	Things to Consider
You can keep the dumpster on-site for as long as you need.	Best suited for disposing of a large quantity of shingles or other materials.
An all-inclusive, affordable rate is provided upfront.	Dumpster sizes and weight limits can vary depending on your location.
Easy for roofing contractors to work with.
Offers a guaranteed, scheduled disposal of your shingles and roof materials.

Ready to Rent a Dumpster?

2. Dump the Shingles Yourself

Want to dispose of asphalt shingles from a small roof repair on your own? You can haul roofing materials to a local landfill. However, you’ll need access to a truck that’s large enough to fit everything and will have to cover the bed before driving. Search online to find out where to dump shingles near you, and make sure the landfill or transfer station is open to the public.

Benefits	Things to Consider
A potentially low-cost shingle disposal option.	Requires access to a pickup truck.
Allows you to clean up at your own pace.	Will likely take several trips to the landfill to dispose of all your roof materials.
	Adds time to your project, and the nearest dumping site may be far away.
	Not always an option if you’re working with a roofing contractor.

3. Hire a Junk Removal Company

Some junk removal companies will accept shingles, though many do not, so you'll need to check with your local provider to see if they can take your roofing materials. Typically, junk removal services use trucks with 2-ton weight limits, meaning they can carry up to 4,000 pounds. One square of shingles, or 100 square feet, weighs between 230 - 1,000 pounds, depending on what material they're made of. And the average roof size in the U.S. is 1,700 square feet, or 17 squares, with larger homes with garages exceeding 3,000 square feet of roof space. Because of this, using a junk removal service is usually best for a small amount of debris.

Benefits	Things to Consider
Offers a scheduled removal of your shingles.	Not available in all areas.
Debris is loaded up for you.	You won’t receive a quote until they arrive, and price is subject to increase.
	You must be present for their pickup window.
	Not ideal for disposing of a lot of shingles or other roofing materials.

How Much Does Shingle Disposal Cost?

The cost to dispose of shingles depends on the size of your project, as well as the quantity and weight of your roofing debris. The most common dumpster size for a home roof replacement is a 20 cubic yard dumpster, which costs an average of $447 and can typically hold up to six pickup trucks’ worth of debris, or 4,000 to 6,000 square feet of shingles.

For smaller homes or roofing repair projects, a 10 yard dumpster may be a good option, with an average cost of $394 to dispose of up to three pickup trucks’ worth, or about 1,000 square feet of roofing materials. With a dumpster in your driveway, you can avoid multiple trips to the local landfill, saving you and your contractor more time and money.

You can get a better estimate of your slate or asphalt shingle disposal costs by calculating their total weight. Use this calculator to estimate the weight of your roofing debris and determine the size and number of dumpsters you will need.

Shingles Weight Calculator

Estimated weight:

Costs of Various Shingle Disposal Options

Disposal Option	Cost
Cost to Rent a 10 Yard Dumpster	$394 on average, with prices ranging from $227 to $579.
Cost to Rent a 20 Yard Dumpster	$447 on average, with prices ranging from $264 to $687.
Cost to Dump Shingles Yourself	Costs between $32 - $40 per ton at most landfills. This does not include the cost of a truck rental, gas and time spent hauling the materials.

How much does a new roof cost?

The cost of a roof replacement depends on the size of your home, the roofing materials you choose, who is completing the work and how you’ll be disposing of your old shingles. The cost to complete a DIY installation of asphalt roofing shingles can range from $680 to $3,700, while professional installation can cost between $1,700 and $8,400.

How do I pick the right dumpster for my roofing project?

The right dumpster size will depend on how many squares of shingles you’re disposing of, what type of shingles they are and their total weight. One square of three-tab shingles weighs between 230-250 pounds, while one square of architectural shingles weighs 400-430 pounds.

Use the charts below to estimate the size and number of dumpster rentals you will need for roof shingle disposal based on the type of shingles and the size of your roof. Please note that in most service areas, we can only dispose of shingles in 10 or 20 cubic yard dumpsters.

For Disposing of Three-Tab or Architectural Shingles:

Number of Squares	Approximate Square Feet	Dumpster Size*
10-20 squares	1,000-2,000 square feet	10-15 cubic yard dumpster
20-40 squares	2,000-4,000 square feet	15-20 cubic yard dumpster
40-60 squares	4,000-6,000 square feet	20 cubic yard dumpster
60-80 squares	6,000-8,000 square feet	Two 20 cubic yard dumpsters

*These are rough approximations of the sizes needed for safe shingle disposal. For a more accurate estimation, call us and we'll ensure you get the right size dumpster for your specific project.

Shingle Recycling Options

If you’re wondering what to do with old shingles that can put them to good use, you may be able to give them new life. Please note that recycling is usually only an option for asphalt shingles, and may not be available in all areas.

1. Find an Asphalt Shingle Recycling Facility

If you’re disposing of asphalt shingles, you may be able to find a recycling service that can use the asphalt to make pavement. The shingles from an average-sized home can be reused to pave about 200 feet of a two-lane highway. Visit ShingleRecycling.org to find a shingle recycling service near you. Depending on the service, you may need to drop off your shingles at their facility, or the recycler may bring you a container to collect the shingles.

Large Pile of Asphalt Next to Dump Truck on Blueprint Background

2. See if Your Contractor Accepts Old Shingles for Recycling

Some contractors offer asphalt shingle recycling services. However, this is something you should discuss with your roofing professional before your project begins.

Additionally, if you choose to recycle your shingles, you will still need to find a responsible way to dispose of your other roofing materials, such as felt paper, wood and roof gravel.