- Queensland will consult on a proposal to ban the dumping of end-of-life solar panels in landfill
- The Palaszczuk Government will pilot a solar panel recycling scheme led by industry
- The consultation is part of a draft plan to tackle e-waste across Queensland
- It builds on a broader $1.1 billion Recycling and Jobs Fund that's driving Queensland's zero waste transition
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.
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 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 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 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.
Members of the public, 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
