Where to Dump Old Roof Shingles

Updated 2026-09-25. General guidance only: local rules vary, so check with your county or the facility.

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A roof tear-off produces a surprising amount of heavy debris. Even a modest house can generate several tons of old shingles, underlayment and nails. Knowing where that load can go, and how it'll be priced, saves money and a wasted trip.

Where asphalt shingles usually go

Landfills. Most municipal solid waste landfills accept shingles, usually charged by weight on the scale. Some regions also have construction and demolition (C&D) landfills that specialize in building debris and may charge less than a general landfill.

Transfer stations. Many take roofing debris, especially smaller loads, though some limit how much you can bring or send large loads straight to a landfill. Some residential convenience centers don't take construction debris at all.

Shingle recyclers. In some areas, companies grind tear-off shingles into material used in asphalt paving or as road base. They often charge less than a landfill for a clean load, but "clean" is the key word (see below).

Dumpster rental. For a full roof, many homeowners and roofers simply rent a roll-off container. Weight limits on the container matter a lot with shingles.

What makes a load "clean" for recycling

Recyclers typically want only the shingles themselves, with limited nails. They commonly reject or surcharge loads with:

Wood (decking, fascia, trim), plywood or OSB
Plastic, tarps, wrappers, gutters and flashing
Household trash, bricks or other debris
Excessive felt or ice-and-water membrane (rules vary)

Keeping a separate pile or container for shingles during the tear-off is the easiest way to qualify for a lower rate.

A note on very old roofing

Some roofing products made decades ago contained asbestos. Most asphalt shingles on homes today don't, but some recyclers ask for testing or paperwork before they'll accept old roofing, and many landfills have special rules for asbestos-containing material. If you suspect asbestos, especially in old slate-look, tar or cement-based roofing, get it tested before you tear it off.

How much do shingles weigh?

Shingles are heavy for their size. Roofing is measured in "squares" of 100 square feet. A square of common three-tab shingles is often in the range of about 200 to 250 pounds, and thicker architectural shingles can run heavier, around 300 to 400 pounds per square. Loose tear-off debris in a truck bed can weigh roughly 700 to 1,300 pounds per cubic yard depending on how it's packed and whether it's wet.

That means a full-size pickup can reach its payload limit with the bed only partly full. Check the payload rating on your door-jamb sticker and make more trips if you need to. Our dump cost calculator will estimate the weight of a truck or trailer load.

Why shingle disposal prices vary

Pricing method. Landfills usually charge per ton; some transfer stations charge per load or per cubic yard.
Clean vs. mixed. Recyclers often reward clean loads and charge more for mixed debris.
Residency. Public facilities may charge more to non-residents or contractors.
Minimums. Small loads often hit a minimum charge regardless of weight.

Tips for tear-off day

Lay tarps around the house to catch debris and nails, and run a magnetic sweeper afterward.
Load the heaviest material low and forward in the truck or trailer, and tarp the load.
Call the site first to confirm they take shingles from the public, the rate, and whether they want roofing kept separate from other debris.

Find a site: show landfills and transfer stations on the map. For a longer walkthrough, read where to take old roof shingles.

Find a place near you

Open the map with landfills / dumps + transfer stations switched on, or only show listings that mention shingles / roofing (fewer results, because most listings don't list materials). You can also estimate weight and cost with the dump cost calculator.