Residents can now dispose of old solar panels for recycling for free at the Eaglehawk Landfill and the Strathfieldsaye and Heathcote Transfer Stations thanks to an agreement between the City of Greater Bendigo and Solar Recovery Corporation.
City of Greater Bendigo Resource Recovery and Education Manager Brooke Pearce said it is expected that by 2035 over 100,000 tonnes of solar panel waste will enter Australia's waste streams according to the University of South Australia.
"With this in mind the City of Greater Bendigo is preparing for this influx by partnering with Solar Recovery Corporation to provide responsible management and recycling for solar panels that have reached the end of their life," Ms Pearce said.
"Materials that can be recovered from old solar panels include glass, plastic, silicon, copper and aluminium and all solar panels dropped off at the Eaglehawk Landfill or the Strathfieldsaye and Heathcote Transfer Stations will be collected and processed in Australia by Solar Recovery Corporation.
"This material can be recovered from old solar panels for re-use in local manufacturing streams.
"The Eaglehawk Landfill and Strathfieldsaye and Heathcote Transfer Stations will have dedicated drop of points and will accept all types of solar panels for free. The free disposal is available to residents only and not commercial operators.
"Broken or smashed panels and other solar operated equipment such as solar lights will not be accepted. Anyone dropping off panels must be able to unload the panels themselves taking care not to damage them at the drop off point.
"The City of Greater Bendigo is committed to keeping valuable resources out of landfill and is pleased to have teamed up with Solar Recovery Corporation to provide a free, responsible management process for solar panels that are at the end of their life.
"While initially we will have collection points at Eaglehawk Landfill and Strathfieldsaye and Heathcote Transfer Stations this may be expanded to other local sites in the future."
