Queenslanders are being encouraged to have their say on a proposal to recycle items like solar panels and repair other e-products instead of sending them to landfill, to protect our great lifestyle.
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 landfills within 10 years.
In 2019, solar panel waste accounted for nearly 1,000 tonnes but by 2030 it could account for some 17,000 tonnes.
Alongside the trial, the state 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 divert end-of-life solar panels from landfill and recovering 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 see on-ground collection, recovery and recycling of panels, focusing on rooftop installations.
The pilot builds on the Palaszczuk Government’s $1.1 billion Recycling and Jobs Fund and broader work to establish a recycling industry in Queensland and divert 80 per cent 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.
Smart Energy Council acting chief executive Wayne Smith said: “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.
“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.
“Queensland is not only the sunshine state, but it’s also the solar state and soon it will be the solar recycling state.”
