ForConstructionPros.com

JM: Describe the process of the collection.

Matt Teesdale: "The roofers will bring the shingles to us. We tend to cut their tipping fee in half for what they would have to pay at a landfill. We will test the sample of each load that comes in for the DEQ. Then we clean the shingles and stockpile them until we have enough to grind up for our finished product."

JM: What is involved in the cleaning process?

MT: "We take out the wood, plastic and nails from the roofing by hand."

EK: "I think it is important to mention something that Matt and the other yards do: when the roofers start to coming to us, we have a training period with that roofer to help them understand how they can save on their landfill dollars by keeping to the roofing material debris only. For example, not letting the homeowners throw old carpet, or the kids' swimming pool, into the dumpster helps to keep down on the sorting."

JM: You encourage people to sort for you.

MT: We will take all of the debris, but it helps if they put the roofing material on top so that we don't have to continuously dig through the pile ourselves and pick stuff out.

JM: So they don't have to go to two different sites with their debris?

MT: Right, and then we are able to do more with the leftover material. We recycle the steel and aluminum, but it's much easier if they separate it for us.

JM: What do you charge to dump?

MT: It depends on the area. In Grand Rapids, prices are different than Lansing and Flint.

EK: There are different reasons for prices being set. We look at what the landfill rates in the area are to give them motivation to come to our yard.