Recycling Asphalt Shingles: UPDATE!

Originally Posted by newattitude

ScraperRick, I hope you get it all figured out and can make some money from this. Shingles just isn't something I'd be interested in figuring out but if you can make money from it, good luck to you and at the very least, you tried something once and its a learning experience!

Thanks for your response! I've been making so many phone calls lately that my mind is just so preoccupied... I was just going to say that, I could always provide dumpsters for different types of companies/fields instead of just messing with roofers. What are other types of ways I can make money giving dumpsters to ppl. I had a few ideas but I'd like to hear what you guys think. I wanna think outside the box.

PCScrapper, I have a pm coming your way!

I have little to no experience here, but I do have a few questions. I'm sure you've thought this through a lot more than I have, so I apologize in advance - just trying to figure out what the value added is.

If I understand your idea, you're basically inserting yourself as a middle man? I'm curious why the yard will pay you to haul contractor's shingles to them as opposed to them bringing it directly.

What's to stop the contractor from just calling up a trash service directly and dumping them at a lower cost? What would the hauling company charge if they dispose of the waste instead of you?

If you are a general haul away type shop, and are adding this as an additional value add to bring up when working with contractors, it might generate some income and help with relationships. If you are exploiting it and just putting yourself in as a middle man, then it won't be pretty if the hauling company ever happens to talk to the contractor and the contractor figures out what's going on.

Foo,

Thanks for your reply. I'm sure that could happen, I'll just explain that I'm sub-contracting them and that these are my companies prices. If I lose a customer, so be it. Right now I have no money what so ever, and I'm trying to create a life for myself. This seems like a good way to start.

Im trying to think outside the box, I can get a dumpster and leave it someplace for 200$, for one week -- how could I make money with that? One idea I had was leaving it at a manufacturing plant and pick up their scrap. As long as it over 200$ I'm good.

My problem is, is that I'm unable to offer the contractors 3-4 tons for free than charge an additional 70$ or whatever. I have to charge them FOR EVERY ton they out in. Because I'm getting charged at my yard to drop it off. This is one of the problems that prevent me from doing it -- no contractor wants to work with me if I have to charge them EVERY ton, most companies give them the first 3 tons for free. All I gotta' do is find a place that won't charge me to dump it. If I can fix that, I'm in.

Until than I need more ideas on how I can make money with a dumpster

As a former general contractor, I can tell you that every builder and builder-wanna-be knows every dumpster company in town. We always worked with the same guy, but would occasionally shop prices to see if his were inline with the others. There is just too thin of margins in the construction business to pay a middleman. With the recession and downturn in the housing market, every sane dumpster company started beating down doors of contractors and roofers to get their business. Not wanting to dissuade you from trying, but I would be shocked if any construction company didn't have direct contact information for most or all hauling services.

A few other points: Dumpster companies will usually only provide a 20 yd dumpster for a roofing job. There typically isn't enough volume from a roof to require a bigger one, and the weight of asphalt shingles would be too much combined with other construction debris to go into a 30 yd. Also, many roofers will have their own tandem axle trailers to haul off shingles instead of paying for a dumpster. And, if there were profit in taking the shingles to a asphalt paving company, most dumpster operators would already know and have deals worked out with them.

I'm not sure how you can make this a viable enterprise, but if you think you can make a buck I say go for it. If nothing else you get experience that will serve you well in other ventures. 'Ole whats his name didn't invent the lightbulb the first time around.

Well I really won't be able to do it, if I can't find a place that will let me throw away my shingles for free. My yard wants to charge me, meaning I hv to charge the contractors per Ton... I really wanted this to work, I kinda feel down about it... I thought this would really help my life... But I know I can't give up I just have to fix this!

1) When I spoke with the hauling company it sounded like they sorta investigated me a bit, like, "Where is your yard?" And so forth. I explained that I primarily do scrap metals and I take it to many yards, if they sorta get serious with me, should I just explain I'm sub-contracting them? How should I handle that.

2) The fact that I can get a dumpster for 185-200$ for 7-10 days is remarkable. I'm sure I can make money with it. LETS ASSUME, I can't haul shingles. What other ways can I make money with this idea

P.S. the hauling company said they have to charge me a 15$ blocking fee. What is that?

Originally Posted by ScraperRick;

2) The fact that I can get a dumpster for 185-200$ for 7-10 days is remarkable. I'm sure I can make money with it. LETS ASSUME, I can't haul shingles. [B

What other ways can I make money with this idea, I.e. to offer someone a dumpster [/B]

Can someone please comment on this

It's obvious that you have put a lot of thought into this. Have you priced a truck and containers? You might find out that you would have more potential if you owned the containers and the truck. And, if roofing slows down, you can haul a lot of construction waste besides shingles. Just start small with one truck and a few containers. You may find that in a year you will have two trucks and 20 containers.

Numbers,

Thanks for your reply. I definitely don't have enough money to buy my own truck or containers (I only have 1K): but I think I can sub out another company and just save up and get my own.

Issue: I'm currently unable to take shingles because everywhere I dump them charges me. I explained the problem in my post above. If you need me to explain further, let me know.

Which is why I'm asking, what other material can I dispose of and where can I dump it?

Some places buy carpet pad and carpet. Places by me just throw it in there garbage dumpster that they pay for. If you could find a place that bought it by you this may work out. I need to find the post on here about carpet pad recycling...

Here it is... http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/non-m...t-padding.html

The only places that I know of where you could dump shingles without paying would have you arrested if they caught you. So unless you can find someone to BUY the shingles, I fail to see how you can make this profitable.

Originally Posted by VERYOLDGUY

I have had a 30 yard for almost 5 years. (regular job) The rolloff is actually free. The charge is for the haul.
Like all logistics distance sets the price. From where I am to the yard costs me $150 for the haul.
The container company charges me and the yard sends me a check.

What type of material are you recycling?