Solar panels could be banned from landfill in Qld

Queenslanders are being invited to comment on a proposal to recycle items like solar panels and repair other e-products instead of sending them to landfill.

On Clean Up Australia Day, Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon unveiled a draft e-Products plan, targeting electronic waste in Queensland, including solar panels and batteries. As part of the draft plan, solar panels could be banned from being dumped in landfill within 10 years.

In 2019, solar panel waste accounted for nearly 1000 tonnes but by 2030 it could account for some 17,000 tonnes.

“With the highest rooftop solar penetration in the country, we need to explore how we deal with panels when they reach the end of their life,” Scanlon said.

“Our Energy and Jobs Plan will deliver even more cheaper, cleaner power — and we want to ensure that this commitment to sustainability carries through our whole economy.

“The draft plan shows that Queensland is serious about dealing with electronic waste and now we want to hear from Queenslanders and industry to make sure we get it right,” she said.

The Palaszczuk government will initially invest more than $250,000 for a pilot of an industry-led Solar Stewardship Scheme, led by the Smart Energy Council (SEC).

The pilot will involve two stages, with the first stage identifying participants and locations to help divert end-of-life solar panels from landfill and recover their useful materials.

Circular economy specialists The Activ Group will also develop a tracking and information system to log volumes and locations of recovered materials as part of the pilot.

Stage two will involve on-the-ground collection, recovery and recycling of panels, focusing on rooftop installations.

“The trial will examine the best ways to address any economic and logistical obstacles preventing the effective collection and disposal of unwanted household solar panels, with an initial focus on regional areas,” said Smart Energy Council Acting Chief Executive Wayne Smith.

“The Smart Energy Council will establish a Solar Stewardship Scheme Consultative Committee, including solar PV manufacturers, distributors, retailers, installers and certificate traders; recycling companies; regulators; local councils; and Queensland Government representatives.

“The committee will meet monthly during the trial period to share advice, data and learnings to help inform a possible future Solar Stewardship Scheme,” Smith said.

The pilot builds on the Queensland Government’s $1.1 billion Recycling and Jobs Fund and broader work to establish a recycling industry in Queensland and divert 80% of waste from landfill by 2030.

The draft e-Products plan, which was co-designed with the eWaste Watch Institute, also includes actions to increase product stewardship, recycling and the repair of electronic waste through initiatives like repair cafes.

Planet Ark Power’s CEO Peter Newland said, “As a company that installs solar PV on large commercial and industrial buildings, we welcome this initiative by the Queensland Government.

“Following hailstorms in Brisbane a couple of years ago we had to send damaged solar panels to Sydney for recycling at a cost of $3000 per pallet.

“To develop a local recycling industry in a state that has installed more solar panels than any other in Australia is a very welcome addition to Queensland’s clean technology sector and to the development of a circular economy.”

Members of the public along with industry and business representatives can now have their say on the draft action plan, which is available at https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/management/waste/recovery/reduction/draft-e-products-action-plan.

Feedback can be provided by emailing eproductsfeedback@des.qld.gov.au and consultation will remain open until 5 pm on 17 April 2023.

Image credit: iStock.com/zstockphotos