Thankfully, Australia is recognising the importance of solar panel recycling. Unlike some states, Victoria has already banned landfilling solar panels and mandated their diversion to e-waste recycling facilities.
Check out our page about Victoria: Researchers Found Way to Safely Recycle End-of-Life Solar Panels.
The good news? Solar panels are highly recyclable. Up to 95% of the materials, including valuable components like silicon, aluminium, and silver, can be recovered. Recycling offers a multitude of benefits:
- Resource conservation: By recovering valuable materials like silicon, glass, and aluminium, we reduce the need for virgin resource extraction, minimising the environmental damage associated with mining and processing raw materials.
- Reduced landfill waste: Landfills are reaching capacity, and solar panels, if not properly disposed of, contribute to this growing problem. Recycling diverts waste from landfills, creating a more sustainable waste management system.
- Circular economy: Recycling fosters a circular economy where materials are reused in new products, minimising reliance on virgin resources and promoting a more sustainable economic model.
