Owens Corning Forms Alliance with Earth911 to Expand Footprint of Nation's Leading Shingle Recycling Program

TOLEDO, Ohio, Oct. 4, 2011  /PRNewswire/ -- Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) through its Roofing business today announced a strategic alliance with Earth911, Inc., host of the largest and most accurate recycling directory in North America, to expand shingle recycling opportunities for contractors and consumers.  The alliance supports Owens Corning's commitment to sustainable roofing practices and broadens the scope of the company's industry-leading shingle recycling program by providing access to contractors who utilize local shingle recyclers found on Earth911.com.

In 2009, Owens Corning Roofing established the nation's first shingle recycling program in alliance with Heritage Environmental Services.  Since its inception, the program has recycled more than 80,000 tons of asphalt shingles(1), the equivalent of saving 80,000 barrels of oil. 

"This new alliance with Owens Corning Roofing represents a tremendous opportunity for contractors and consumers to make a difference through this new method of reducing waste, which saves valuable petroleum in the form of asphalt," said Barry Monheit, CEO of Earth911.  "We commend Owens Corning™ for its leadership in driving sustainable business practices in the building materials industry."

Contractors who take the Owens Corning™ Roofing Shingle Recycling Pledge, can now use the Earth911 Recycling Directory available via Earth911.com, the toll-free 1-800-CLEANUP hotline, or the free iRecycle app for Android and iOS mobile devices to locate an expanded list of local recyclers in their area.  For homeowners replacing a roof, the alliance provides an easy-to-use resource to locate contractors who recycle shingles through the Owens Corning Contractor Locator.  Additionally, Owens Corning provides consumers access to educational videos and other information about sustainable roof replacement practices.

"The more we help to expand the network of contractors who recycle, the faster we can reduce the amount of needless construction debris in landfills," said Sheree Bargabos, president, Owens Corning Roofing.  "And because many environmentally conscious consumers view Earth911 as a valuable resource, we are also providing them with a list of reputable contractors who share their passion for sustainable roofing practices."     

Connect with industry experts to learn more about shingle recycling 

Each year, up to 10 million tons of recyclable shingles are removed from the roofs of U.S. homes and buildings.(2)  To help educate consumers about the benefits of shingle recycling and how they can make sustainable decisions when replacing their roof, Owens Corning Roofing and Earth911 are hosting the following educational opportunities:

• "What's the Big Deal About Shingle Recycling?" – A Twitter chat to be hosted from 11 a.m. to noon ET on October 6, on Twitter and live from Owens Corning booth #1181 at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  Featuring experts from Owens Corning (@Owens_Corning), UL Environment (@ulenvironment), Heritage Environmental (@HeritageEnviro) and others, the chat will focus on the benefits of shingle recycling.
• The "Smart Saving Quiz" on Facebook – Consumers can take a quiz to test their knowledge regarding the impact of shingle recycling. The results can be shared via social media and participants can become a fan of shingle recycling

Consumers who participate in the Twitter chat or Facebook quiz are eligible to win a 30 percent (up to $1,000) discount on the cost of Owens Corning™ shingles for a residential roof installation.

About Owens Corning

Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) is a leading global producer of residential and commercial building materials, glass-fiber reinforcements and engineered materials for composite systems.  A Fortune® 500 company for 57 consecutive years, Owens Corning is committed to driving sustainability by delivering solutions, transforming markets and enhancing lives.  Founded in 1938, Owens Corning is a market-leading innovator of glass-fiber technology with sales of $5.0 billion in 2010 and approximately 15,000 employees in 28 countries on five continents. Additional information is available at: www.owenscorning.com.

About Earth911, Inc.

Earth911 gathers, distributes and analyzes localized recycling information to assist manufacturers, organizations and consumers with product end-of-life solutions.  Working to increase the recycling and disposal of consumer goods since 1991, Earth911's services enhance and support companies' responsible waste initiatives. Its Recycling Directory is the largest and most accurate in the nation, boasting more than one million recycling and disposal resources for hundreds of products.  Follow @Earth911 and like Earth911 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/earth911 to learn more.

(1)  Calculated by Owens Corning Roofing

(2)  Northeast Recycling Council

SOURCE Owens Corning