Government Focusing on Renewable Waste Management in Alignment with Net Zero Goals
Australia’s infrastructure is in need of development, and while solar and wind are valuable resources in the transition to clean energy, they also generate significant waste.
The Australian government is currently exploring ways to enhance its management of renewable waste and resource recovery.
The plan includes goals such as reaching an 80 percent recovery rate from all waste streams and significantly boosting the use of recycled materials.
According to the spokesperson, improvements in the waste and resource recovery sector will aid Australia’s journey towards net zero emissions, especially concerning organic waste.
While renewable energy plays a crucial role in Australia’s clean energy transition, the waste generated by solar and wind sources poses challenges due to the country’s limited waste management infrastructure.
Solar Disposal
Solar power is a major component of Australia’s net zero goals. However, in 2025, it is projected to produce over 50,000 tonnes of waste, rising to approximately 100,000 tonnes annually by 2030. Solar panels are inspected before landfill disposal to reduce environmental impact, but their space-consuming nature and potential for leaching harmful chemicals as they degrade are concerns.
It was stated by the DCCEEW spokesperson that Australian companies can recycle up to 17 percent by weight of a solar panel due to insufficient recycling programs. However, plans are underway to establish a regulated solar panel recycling scheme to contribute to Australia’s circular economy.
Solar System Recycling
Various recycling processes exist for solar systems, with components like aluminium frames, plastic junction boxes, and copper wire being easily recyclable. Batteries and inverters can also be recycled through existing e-waste systems. However, the glass and back sheeting in panels are not recyclable in Australia.
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The DCCEEW spokesperson also shared that the government has allocated $3 million to establish a wind turbine recycling facility under the Cooperative Research Centres Program.
