Solar Panel Recycling
Solar Panel Recycling Across Australia
Solar panel waste is on the rise nationwide, as more households and businesses install solar, many older systems are now reaching end-of-life. Ecoactiv offers a streamlined solar panel recycling solution across Australia, with collection and processing available in all major cities and regional centres. Whether you’re managing residential upgrades or large-scale decommissioning, we help you recycle responsibly.
The Recycling of Solar Panels: How It Works
Solar panels contain valuable materials like aluminium, silicon, glass and trace metals such as silver. Our recycling process is designed to extract and recover these components efficiently, reducing landfill and supporting a circular economy. All panels are processed through accredited recycling partners.
Divert Waste from Landfill
- Prevent toxic leaching, protect the environment and extend the useful life of materials from e-waste via the circular economy.
Reduce Resource Depletion
- Help recover valuable resources including precious metals, reducing the need for further extraction of earth’s natural resources.
Solar Panel Recycling Near You
Searching for “solar panel recycling near me”? Ecoactiv makes it easy. We operate across every state and territory. From regional towns to capital cities, we offer a reliable way to recycle solar panels without the hassle. Book a pickup or drop-off service and we’ll handle the rest.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Most panels are up to 95% recyclable. However, they require specialist equipment and processes, which Ecoactiv provides access to via our national recovery network.
Absolutely. While you can’t recycle solar panels through kerbside bins, Ecoactiv enables compliant recycling through accredited processing partners across Australia.
Each solar panel has about 80 percent of crystalline silicon that can be recovered through a refined recycling process. There are also other recyclable parts including electric junction boxes, glass, plastics and aluminium frames and brackets.
In the solar panel recycling process, the first stage involves shredding the panels into numerous pieces to expose various components for easier detecting and separation in stage 2. The second stage involves shredded pieces undergoing a meticulous separation process using over 10 different detectors, including those based on colour, pattern, magnetic, eddy currents and advanced technologies. The detectors identify and separate materials such as glass, copper wiring, circuit boards, steel, aluminium, plastics and cables. Accurate material separation is crucial for successful recycling. In the final stage, the separated commodities are returned to the industry for the manufacturing of new items, closing the recycling loop.
Depending on the solar panels you have, your system has a typical life expectancy of 20 to 25 years. The efficiency of your system will decline anywhere from 6 to 10 percent in the first 10 years and slightly more the years’ after. You can recycle your solar panel or solar equipment at any stage of life. Whether it’s in working condition or at the end of its life, we’re happy to take it off your hands.
Book a pickup or drop-off with Ecoactiv. We handle everything from safe handling to environmental compliance and provide documentation if needed.
“Solar modules” are simply the complete units we commonly refer to as solar panels. Module recycling involves carefully dismantling each panel to extract materials for reuse, helping reduce the environmental impact of Australia’s growing solar industry.
Enquire about our solar recycling services
Fill in the form below with your solar panel recycling enquiry and we’ll get back to you shortly.
