CANTON, Mass. — Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Ian Bowles praised the industry leading efforts of Sika Sarnafil, the first U.S.-based company to introduce a recycling program for commercial vinyl roofing membranes.

The Sika Sarnafil Roof Recycling program is designed to keep end of life vinyl roofing membranes away from overburdened landfills. The company has recycled over 1 million square feet of “end of life” roofing membrane and more than 20 million pounds of pre-consumer membrane since it began its recycling efforts, including material removed, recycled and replaced at Boston’s Marriott Long Wharf Hotel and Target Stores around the U.S. “With this groundbreaking resource recovery program, Sika Sarnafil is literally taking recycling to new heights,” Secretary Bowles said. “I am pleased that EEA’s Office of Technical Assistance and Technology was able to give Sika Sarnafil the assistance it needed to advance this innovative program. By reducing the amount of material disposed of in Massachusetts landfills this effort is helping to enhance the Commonwealth’s environment.”

During development of the Roof Recycling Program, the Sika Sarnafil team worked with the Office of Technical Assistance and Technology (OTA), a division of EEA, to fine–tune regulatory and management strategies as well as the systems and technologies for the program.

“Sika Sarnafil’s Roof Recycling Program creates a strong bond between the manufacturer, contractors and the government with a goal to benefit the community,” said Mark Franklin, Environmental Health and Safety Manager at Sika Sarnafil. “We are dedicated to sustainability and look forward to future work with OTA as we continue to address energy conservation issues.”

The Sika Sarnafil Roof Recycling Program is streamlined and simple making it easy for contractors to participate. Sika Sarnafil ships containers and pallets to contractors free of charge. The recycled materials are simply loaded and turned over to Sika Sarnafil with no disposal fees. Contractor labor costs related to recycling are minimal, if any, and are often offset by savings in municipal disposal fees. Contractors interested in learning more can visit www.sarnafilus.com/recycle.