Roof tear-off
How to Get Rid of Old Shingles in Abilene
Shingles can't go in your trash cart or to the City's convenience station. They go to a landfill, either in a roll-off dumpster or in your own truck.
Where can old shingles go in Abilene?
Old shingles from an Abilene roof go to a landfill. The City's Citizens Convenience Station refuses shingles and other construction debris, and City trash carts can't take them. Your options are a roll-off dumpster at the house, a roofer who hauls them off, or hauling loads yourself to a landfill north of town.
| Option | Takes shingles? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| City trash cart or alley container | No | Construction debris is not allowed, and hired roofers may not use residential containers. |
| Citizens Convenience Station, 2149 Sandy St | No | Residents only. Shingles, brick, concrete, sheetrock and tile are refused. |
| Landfills on FM 3034 | Yes | Two private landfills north of Abilene. Call ahead for fees and rules; they aren't published by the City. |
| Roll-off dumpster at the house | Yes | Crew throws shingles straight in; we haul and weigh the load at the landfill. |
Sources: City of Abilene Citizens Convenience Center, Solid Waste & Recycling, Landfill (checked Oct 21, 2026).
Can a roll-off be used for shingles inside Abilene city limits?
A roll-off for shingles fits Abilene's city rule because roof tear-off debris is construction debris. The City says its Solid Waste division is the only authorized trash collector inside city limits, and short-term construction debris is the only exception. Household trash mixed into the load doesn't qualify, so keep the dumpster to roofing material.
The full rule and what it means for other projects is on the Abilene dumpster rules page.
How much do the shingles from your roof weigh?
A typical asphalt roof tear-off weighs about 3 tons for 25 squares of one layer, if your bundles weigh 80 pounds and a square takes 3 bundles. Weight decides the dumpster more than space does, so do the math with the bundle weight printed on your own shingle wrapper.
Worked example
- 80 lb per bundle × 3 bundles per square = 240 lb per square.
- 25 squares × 240 lb = 6,000 lb.
- 6,000 lb ÷ 2,000 = 3 tons, which matches the 3 tons included in a 20-yard dumpster.
- Two layers coming off doubles it to 6 tons, so plan a 30-yard plus overage, or two hauls.
Underlayment, nails and flashing add a little more. If you go over, the extra is $75 per ton, charged by the exact pound from the scale ticket.
Shingle weight calculator
About 6,000 lb = 3.00 tons. That fits the 3 tons in a 20-yard.
Is hauling shingles in your own pickup worth it?
Hauling shingles yourself works for a small patch, not a whole roof. A 25-square roof is about 6,000 pounds of shingles, which is several trips for most pickups, plus loading, tarping and landfill fees each time. A dumpster lets the crew throw shingles straight off the roof edge.
Planning the whole tear-off? The roofing dumpster guide sizes it by squares and layers and covers placement near the drop zone.
Shingle disposal questions
Can I put old shingles in my Abilene trash cart a few bags at a time?
City residential containers may not receive construction debris, and the City lists roofers among the hired contractors who may not use residential carts or alley containers. Shingles belong at a landfill.
Do shingles count as heavy debris for the half-full rule?
The half-full fill line applies to concrete, dirt, brick and sand. Shingles can be loaded up to the top rim, but they are heavy, so check the weight math before you pick the size.
Can the old felt and gutters go in with the shingles?
Felt underlayment, nails, drip edge and old gutters from the same roof job can go in with the shingles. Keep paint cans, batteries and household trash out of the load.
Schedule a dumpster for your tear-off
Tell us the squares, the layers and the start date. Book by 3:00 PM and the dumpster is in place the next day.
Deliveries 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Book by 3:00 PM for next-day delivery.