Recycled Asphalt Shingles

Q: What is RAS?

A: Recycled Asphalt Shingles

Using Waste Shingles for Stabilization or Dust Control Roads and Shoulders

In 2017, Len’s Hauling - began recycling asphalt shingles to meet our customers needs, and to keep non-degradable waste out of the landfill.

Click here to download our flyer on RAS

How it works.

• Contact us ahead of time with bundle count.

• Roofer brings their shingles bundles to our location Click Here to drop off.

• We use our machine to grind up shingles.

Environmental Benefits

• Diverts non-degradable material from landfills
• Conserves 2 barrels of oil per 1 tonne RAS in pavement
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions

According to the Athena Institute's briefing paper on Enhanced Recovery of Asphalt Based Roofing Materials, January 2007, 1.25 million tonnes of asphalt based roofing materials are generated annually in Canada. If in Canada, 5% end-of-life roofing scrap could be substituted for virgin asphalt concrete this would produce an annual savings of 900,000 tonnes of GHG emissions. Currently in North America most of this material is ending up in municipal and private construction and demolition landfills.

Why Now?

Prices

• Increases in tipping fees at landfills.
• Increases in crude / asphalt cement prices creating a demand for RAS.
• Green to be green.

Crisis

• Climate change being proactive.
• Landfill space issues
• RAS helps create safer dust-free gravel roads
• The Dangers of Calcium Chloride.

“The substance (Calcium Chloride) is corrosive to the eyes. The substance is severely irritating to the skin, upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. A harmful concentration of airborne particles can be reached quickly when dispersed. Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis.”

Towns and villages in the province looking to find solutions to street sealing and dust suppression have worked with various products over the years. Finding a cost effective and environmentally sustainable process presents a challenge. Now some communities, including the village of Muenster, have turned to an unlikely source of materials. 

The village is currently applying recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) to its roads. The shingles are ground up to a fine consistency, mixed with an aggregate, trucked onto the road and bladed in to cover the surface. As traffic compacts the product, it bonds to form a loose surface similar to asphalt. 

It’s an idea that came to the attention of Muenster Village Councillor Karl Senko as he visited another small community with the application. 

“When we looked into it, it seemed to be a pretty economical option compared to some other dust control methods,” Senko said. “Some of our local residents even say sound control on the roads.”

The village is provided the product by Len’s Hauling of Saskatoon. The company will pick up stored discarded shingles from work sites, or contractors can bring them into their city site. The shingles are mechanically ground up to the consistency of fine gravel or powder. Senko says that there are other advantages to the method.

Read the fill story here.

Hello Len
My experience with Calcium Chloride (CC) that is used as dust control from the perspective of a fleet owner is poor at best. In the past, there has been few alternatives that satisfy both land/ home owners, unhappy with the consequence of truck traffic, and truck owners and drivers. The CC does provide dust control however, it creates a slippery mucky surface that can prove treacherous in certain situations. As well, the CC sticks to everything when driven on. This diminishes the effectiveness with every pass as well coats the underside of every vehicle with it. This proves costly to wash off and if left unchecked, creates a considerable smell. I believe your alternative will prove to be both cost effective and user friendly

Thanks
Darcy Berggren
Racuda Logistics

The Town of Aberdeen was one of the first towns in Saskatchewan to use this product. We used it as a cost saving method over calcium chloride. We found that not only was it a dust controller but offered a sound barrier that we didn't expect. When you have long periods of no rain we have chosen to water it down. We found that mixing gravel and RAS product was the most effective way to use it and allow long term sustainability. We are happy with the outcome as well as how it packs hard like an asphalt.

Mayor Renee Reimer Horner
Town of Aberdeen