Sonny’s Place Expands Parking Lot With Recycled Shingles

in Somers, CT has recently expanded their parking lot with the help of .  The expanded parking area has been paved with recycled asphalt roofing shingles.  The shingles, which USA Hauling & Recycling, Inc. has been collecting from residential jobs over the last few years, will be used in a pilot project to test the durability of this new process.

The new 23,000 sq. ft. parking area at Sonny’s Place will help accommodate the expected rise in customers once the brand new is finished, which should be sometime next week.  It will also allow for more people to come participate in their weekly , which they offer every Tuesday from 5pm until dark, weather permitting.

The paving process uses 3% recycled asphalt roofing shingles, according to John Pizzimenti, the Manager of Environmental Services at USA Hauling & Recycling, Inc.  Associated with Babylon Recycling Center, he has been working for the company for 24 years. 

“It is important to get the word out so people can use a resource over again instead of getting it all new,” said Pizzimenti.

Using this process, people can save money by replacing the normal petroleum based product with asphalt roof shingles. 

“On a small scale, people can save hundreds of dollars.  States like Illinois, that have passed legislation that allows for the [recycled product] use on state jobs, in that case, you could be saving thousands, if not millions of dollars,” said Pizzimenti. 

The savings, combined with the environmental bonus of using shingles that would normally end up in landfills, make this process very beneficial.

USA Hauling & Recycling, Inc. collected around 8,000 tons of usable roofing shingles from residential jobs last year.  They follow the states requirements for asbestos testing, and have never had any issues regarding asbestos.  No commercial asphalt roofing shingles can be used though, as they have a higher chance of containing asbestos, which would go against regulations.

As Sonny’s Place has added many new attractions over the years, such as expanding the restaurant, adding the go kart track and constructing the batting cages, USA Hauling & Recycling, Inc. has also supplied thousands of tons of reprocessed concrete aggregate for construction.  This, like using recycled shingles for paving, is good for the environment because materials are being reused instead of just being discarded.  Sonny’s Place and USA Hauling & Recycling, Inc. each pride themselves on being environmentally friendly, and will continue to use processes which promote that.

For more information about USA Hauling & Recycling, Inc. or to inquire about renting a dumpster, you can visit their website at www.usarecycle.com or call them at (860) 746-3200.

Sonny’s Place is a family fun center located at 349 Main Street in Somers.  They offer a variety of activities including an 18 hole miniature golf course, go karts, driving range, rock climbing, a driving range, batting cages, and monkey motion.  An arcade is almost done being built, and should open within the next week.  They also have a restaurant with a large variety of food from the grill, and a huge selection of ice cream.  They offer birthday parties and group outings, with a tent and catering available.  You can visit their website at www.sonnysplace.com or call them at (860) 763-5454 to find out more information.