In 2006, ERA initiated a research project to determine the possibility of recycling EPDM. The project, conducted jointly by Firestone Building Products Company and Carlisle SynTec Incorporated, provided the first data on the viability of recycling EPDM material, estimated costs of the recycling process and potential uses for the recycled material.

With more than 20 billion-plus square feet of EPDM installed on roofs in the United States over the past 40 years, ERA’s members recognized that a significant amount of material will be approaching the time for replacement in the future. In addition, with its noted flexibility and long-term resistance to various climactic conditions, EPDM offered an attractive option in its recycled state.

In the first phase of the project, ERA determined it was logistically viable to remove EPDM from a roof and create a product from recycled membrane. By the end of 2007, nearly one million feet of EPDM was removed, transported, ground and reused.

The material was removed from roofs with loose-laid membrane covered by ballast or mechanically fastened systems. It was then transported to a grinding facility and ground into a power-like substance. Recycled material from both Firestone and Carlisle was used to make walkway pads for new or existing roofs.

In the last two years, ERA has continued to expand the recycling program and as of the end of 2009, more than five million square feet of EPDM membrane have been recycled since the program’s inception. That total is believed to make EPDM the leading recycled commercial roofing project in North America.

In all, roughly 1.25 million pounds of reclaimed EPDM membrane has been diverted from landfills in the first three years of the project.

As the recycling project moved forward in 2008 and 2009, ERA created a new Affiliate Member category, whose members will form the ERA Recycling Council. The Affiliate Member category is open to any company, corporation or other form of enterprise that is not eligible for Regular or Associate Membership but is engaged in any aspect of the business of recycling EPDM or other single-ply roof membranes. These companies will work with ERA to continue ERA’s efforts to re-use and recycle EPDM.

Nationwide Foam Inc. (NFI), http://www.nationwidefoam.com/, of Framingham, Mass., North America’s largest foam insulation board recycler, became the first affiliate member, followed soon after by West Development Group (WDG), of LaGrange, Oh. West Development Group (WDG), http://www.wdgsilicones.com/index.php, specializes in silicone and polyurethane foam technologies used in the roofing industry.

West Development Group (WDG), of LaGrange, Oh., http://www.wdgsilicones.com/index.php, specializes in silicone and polyurethane foam technologies used in the roofing industry. The company is committed to sustainability and protecting the environment through ecologically sound products and practices. WDG products are developed with knowledge gained from nearly 30 years of input from roofing contractors.

ERA invites inquiries about Affiliate Membership from companies in industries related to the recycling of EPDM. To find out more, please call (301) 654-5090 or email us at info@epdmroofs.org.

• Hutchinson PowerPoint on Recycling pilot project
• News releases on project’s progress
• Firestone article on latest phase of recycling program
• Professional Roofing article, "An ERA Recycling Initiative"
• Article, "EPDM Recycling Project Showing Early Signs of Success"
• Article, "EPDM Group Champions Recycling"

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