New South Wales proposes Australia’s first mandatory solar panel recycling scheme

solar panel recycling product stewardship circular economy photovoltaic waste New South Wales

The New South Wales Government has launched public consultation on a proposed mandatory solar panel recycling scheme, which would be the first of its kind in Australia. The initiative aims to address the growing volume of photovoltaic waste as aging systems reach the end of their lifecycles.

Under the proposed product stewardship framework, solar panel manufacturers and importers would be held financially responsible for the collection, recycling, and end-of-life management of their products. The regulation seeks to divert waste from landfills and instead recover valuable materials such as silver, silicon, copper, glass, and aluminium for reuse in new manufacturing processes.

New South Wales currently hosts approximately 1.18 million solar systems, accounting for about a quarter of Australia’s small-scale photovoltaic capacity. The state generates roughly 14,000 tonnes of solar panel waste annually, a figure projected to rise to 89,000 tonnes by 2045. The government intends for this scheme to foster a circular economy and support local jobs in the recycling and remanufacturing sectors.

Entities

Minns Labor Government · New South Wales Environment Protection Authority · New South Wales Government · Penny Sharpe

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The scheme aims to drive investment, create jobs, and support a solar panel remanufacturing industry. wastemanagementreview.com.au · www.ibtimes.com.au · reneweconomy.com.au
[● 3 SOURCES] The mandatory product stewardship scheme would require brand owners, manufacturers, and importers to fund the collection and recycling of solar panels. wastemanagementreview.com.au · www.ibtimes.com.au · reneweconomy.com.au
[● 3 SOURCES] The recycling process aims to recover valuable materials including aluminium, glass, silicon, copper, and silver. wastemanagementreview.com.au · www.ibtimes.com.au · reneweconomy.com.au
[● 2 SOURCES] New South Wales has approximately 1.18 million installed solar systems, representing about a quarter of Australia's small-scale photovoltaic capacity. wastemanagementreview.com.au · reneweconomy.com.au
[● 3 SOURCES] The NSW Government has opened consultation on a proposed mandatory solar panel recycling scheme. wastemanagementreview.com.au · www.ibtimes.com.au · reneweconomy.com.au
[● 2 SOURCES] NSW generates approximately 14,000 tonnes of solar panel waste annually, a figure projected to reach 89,000 tonnes by 2045. wastemanagementreview.com.au · reneweconomy.com.au

Sources

Have your say on Australia's first solar panel recycling scheme - North Coast Times [nctimes.com.au]

4 days ago

Lithium Universe teams with CSIRO for solar recycling research [www.pv-magazine-australia.com]

5 days ago

NSW proposes solar panel recycling mandate to support manufacturing [www.australianmanufacturing.com.au]

5 days ago

Funding pours into remote NSW communities [www.ecogeneration.com.au]

4 days ago

Consultation begins on solar panel recycling scheme for NSW | Janelle Saffin MP [janellesaffin.com.au]

5 days ago

NSW proposes Australia’s first mandatory solar panel recycling scheme [wastemanagementreview.com.au]

5 days ago

NSW Opens Consultation on Australia's First Mandatory Solar Panel Recycling Scheme to Force Manufacturer Accountability [www.ibtimes.com.au]

5 days ago

Industry welcomes proposed NSW solar panel recycling scheme [www.sustainabilitymatters.net.au]

4 days ago

NSW takes lead on mandatory solar panel recycling as ministers call for urgent action on rising tide of waste [reneweconomy.com.au]

5 days ago