There’s always an imbalance after a spike in production because it takes time for supply and demand to settle down. Take the post-war baby boom when service women and men returned home and millions started new families shortly. More currently, E-cigarette vapers may become a recycling problem when the world realizes how dangerous they may be according to doctors. Right now, Australia faces a looming waste crisis in the form of aging first gen solar panels and batteries.
How Solar Use Generated a Looming Waste Crisis in Australia
The Conversation group of scientists reports Australia’s solar program is now twenty years old. As a consequence, the original panels and batteries are aging and threatening a looming waste crisis.
In fact, a second generation of batteries may be up for renewal. There is already a recycling chain for lead batteries. However the lithium-ion ones represent another challenge. Author Michael Dudley thinks the mountain of solar waste could reach 1,500 kilotons by 2050 unless a recycling solution is in place well before then.
Discover How Recycling Solar Panels Works
Solar Systems a Priority under the Product Stewardship Act
There are valuable materials in solar panels and batteries including glass, indium, lead, lithium, ruthenium-tellurium and various metals. Moreover, Australia’s mountain of solar waste will cause massive health and environmental problems, unless it recycles these safely.
Its Product Stewardship Act is currently implementing a system of shared responsibility for those who make, sell and use a product. It wants to ensure a product does not harm the environment or people at the end of its life. Michael Dudley explains this includes “voluntary, co-regulatory and regulatory pathways to manage the waste streams”.
A new Australian National Waste Policy is tackling a looming waste crisis including many other materials too. It hopes to reduce the need for virgin raw materials, extend product life, and moreover maintain material quality at highest level.
Related
China Electric Car Makers to Recycle Old Batteries
AquaMetals Making Lead Out of Recycled Batteries
Preview Image: Cumulative Solar Capacity in Australia
Video Share Link: https://youtu.be/81-MEpcA-Rc
