With no mandatory scheme, only about 10 per cent of solar panels are recycled, leading to many being shipped offshore or ending up in landfills. The industry is calling for a national product stewardship scheme to reduce costs and manage decommissioned panels. The International Energy Agency predicts that without action, there will be a 30 per cent global shortfall in copper by 2035, and it recommends countries regulate recycling to help bridge the gap.
