The Weight Nobody Warns You About
A standard bundle of asphalt shingles weighs 60 to 80 pounds. A typical Oregon home has 20 to 40 squares of roofing (a "square" covers 100 square feet). Each square requires 3 bundles. So a full roof tearoff generates 3,600 to 9,600 pounds of shingles — that's 1.8 to 4.8 tons before you add in underlayment, flashing, nails, and the inevitable rotten decking.
This is why roofing dumpsters have strict weight limits. A 20-yard container looks plenty big, but fill it with shingles and you'll hit the 4-ton weight limit before it's half full by volume. Overage charges run $50 to $100 per extra ton. Roofing contractors know this. Homeowners doing DIY tearoffs learn it the hard way.
Shingle Recycling: It Exists, But It's Complicated
Asphalt shingles are recyclable. The asphalt binder gets reprocessed into road paving material, and the granules and fiberglass mat have secondary uses. The EPA actively promotes shingle recycling as a way to reduce C&D waste in landfills.
In Oregon, shingle recycling availability varies by region:
- Portland metro — A few facilities accept clean asphalt shingles for recycling. Pricing is typically $30 to $60 per ton — significantly cheaper than landfill disposal. Call ahead; some facilities have seasonal closures or backlog issues.
- Salem / Mid-Valley — Limited recycling options. Most shingles go to transfer stations as C&D waste.
- Eugene / Lane County — Check with Lane County waste management for current shingle recycling options.
The catch: recyclers want CLEAN shingles. That means no wood, no tar paper mixed in, no nails if possible (some accept nails, others don't), and no asbestos-containing shingles. If your roof has multiple layers of shingles from different eras, the bottom layer might be from before asbestos regulations. Get it tested if the home predates 1980.
Dumpster Rentals for Roofing
Most roofing jobs use a dedicated "roofing dumpster" — typically a 10 or 15-yard container with a higher weight allowance. Standard pricing in Oregon:
- 10-yard roofing dumpster — $350 to $500, includes 2 to 3 tons. Good for single-layer tearoffs on smaller homes (under 1,500 sq ft).
- 15-yard roofing dumpster — $450 to $650, includes 3 to 4 tons. The most common size for residential reroof jobs.
- 20-yard roofing dumpster — $500 to $750, includes 4 to 5 tons. Larger homes or multi-layer tearoffs.
Pro tip: tell the dumpster company it's a roofing job when you order. Roofing-rated containers have reinforced floors and higher weight limits. Put shingles in a standard construction dumpster and you risk overweight charges or the hauler refusing to pick it up.
DIY Tearoff? Plan the Disposal First
If you're tearing off your own roof (ambitious, but people do it), plan the waste disposal before you start — not after you've got 3 tons of shingles on the ground.
- Order the dumpster a day before you start and position it as close to the house as possible. Carrying shingle bundles across the yard adds hours to the job.
- Use a roofing shovel (shingle ripper) to get under the shingles. Flat shovels and garden forks work but tear up the decking.
- Slide shingles directly off the roof into the dumpster if possible. Every shingle you handle twice doubles your labor.
- Separate any rotten decking, flashing, and metal vents from the shingles if you're planning to recycle.
If a dumpster isn't practical for your property (narrow driveway, no access), a construction debris removal service can haul shingles in multiple truck loads. More expensive than a dumpster but works on any property.
Cost Breakdown
| Disposal Method | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Shingle recycler (self-haul) | $30 – $60/ton | Clean shingles, own truck |
| Transfer station (self-haul) | $80 – $130/ton | Mixed roofing debris |
| Roofing dumpster | $350 – $750 | Full tearoff, driveway access |
| Professional removal | $400 – $1,000+ | No dumpster access, heavy loads |
For a typical 2,000 sq ft Oregon home with a single layer of shingles, expect 2 to 3 tons of waste and $350 to $600 in disposal costs through a dumpster. Add $100 to $200 if there's a second layer underneath.
Factor Disposal Into Your Roofing Budget
Disposal costs are one of the most overlooked items in roofing budgets. Whether you're hiring a roofer or doing it yourself, add $400 to $800 for waste handling on a standard residential job. If you want the shingles hauled without dealing with dumpster logistics, get a removal quote and we'll handle the heavy lifting — literally.
