Homeowners want greener roofs — Owens Corning is listening

By The Coffee Shops.

Research and innovation reveal growing demand for sustainable roofing solutions.

Owens Corning recently conducted consumer research to better understand how homeowners view sustainability when making roofing decisions. The findings showed strong interest in recycling old shingles and reducing landfill waste. Many homeowners expressed a desire to choose materials and contractors that align with their environmental values, signaling a shift in expectations for the roofing industry.

To meet this demand, Owens Corning has made significant investments in sustainable innovation. A major milestone came with the successful commercial-scale trial of new shingles made using asphalt sourced from recycled shingles. This trial used material processed at a pilot plant in Indiana in partnership with Redivius, demonstrating real-world viability for circular roofing systems. The company has set an ambitious goal to divert two million tons of shingles from landfills each year.

These recent efforts build on a longer legacy of sustainability leadership. In its 2023 Sustainability Report, Owens Corning highlighted progress toward 2030 goals, including a 28% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions from a 2018 baseline, a 14% reduction in landfill waste and the development of its first Circular Economy Recycling Technology Innovation Lab in Ohio. The company also reported that 59% of its revenue came from energy-saving products.

The momentum continued in 2024 with new achievements. Owens Corning reduced total waste generation by more than 64,000 metric tons compared to the previous year and cut landfill disposal by 11% year-over-year. It achieved a 43% total reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions from the 2018 baseline, including an 11% drop in 2024 alone. Half of its revenue came from products designed to improve energy efficiency and environmental performance.

These accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. Owens Corning scored 83 out of 100 in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, earned a spot on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for the fifteenth consecutive year and ranked in the top 10 of 3BL’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens list.

Through consumer insight, circular product innovation and measurable environmental progress, Owens Corning continues to lead the way in making roofing more sustainable for contractors and homeowners alike.

Original article appeared in Roofing Magazine.