Australia is a world leader in solar power, with millions of homes now fitted with rooftop solar panels. But as early solar systems installed in the 2000s reach the end of their warranty period, a new problem is emerging: solar panel waste. Panels, inverters, and batteries don’t last forever, and once they fail, many homeowners are unsure where to turn.
A solar panel is built from glass, aluminium frames, silicon solar cells, junction boxes and other solar system components. These materials have value, yet too often they end up in landfill. Unlike white goods or other electronic waste, panels can’t be tossed in a household recycling bin or left for Council pickup. NSW Environment Protection Authority guidelines and the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001 set specific disposal requirements for end-of-life PV systems.
Accredited recycling partners and local recyclers can recover aluminium, copper wiring, and silver, feeding them back into manufacturing and cutting the carbon footprint of new solar modules. Across Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast, the Hunter and Taree, services now exist to help households book online for collection, use drop-off locations, or even sell or give away working panels.
This article explains those options clearly, region by region.
Sydney
Ecoactiv
Ecoactiv provides services across Greater Sydney. Homeowners can book online for a collection, or take solar panels to one of their nominated drop-off points. Once received, panels are separated into glass, aluminium frames, silicon solar cells, junction boxes and copper wiring. These components are recovered through accredited recycling partners, ensuring they do not end up in landfill.
'PV Industries'
The company 'PV Industries' also accepts solar panels in Sydney. Residents can either arrange for pickup or deliver their equipment directly to a drop-off site. The company processes end-of-life solar modules, inverters and batteries, dismantling them into recyclable content such as aluminium, silver, and circuit boards, which are returned into the manufacturing loop.
Energy Culture
On the Northern Beaches, Energy Culture provides authorised solar system removal. They handle the collection of entire systems, including inverters and battery storage units, and deliver them to accredited e-waste recycling facilities. This option is often used by households upgrading to newer systems.
Sircel
Sircel works with several Sydney councils through their resource recovery centres. Residents can take unwanted panels to participating centres, where the panels are then transferred to Sircel’s recycling facility. Materials are separated and reprocessed in compliance with the NSW Environment Protection Authority’s Waste Management Policy.
Newcastle and the Hunter Region
Summerhill Waste Management Centre
In Newcastle, residents can take unwanted solar panels to the Summerhill Waste Management Centre. This facility hosts a dedicated solar panel drop-off operated in partnership with PV Industries. Panels are dismantled and separated into glass, aluminium, silicon cells and other recyclable materials.
'PV Industries'
PV Industries provides broader collection services across the Hunter Region. Homeowners can arrange a pickup or drop panels at designated locations. The panels are processed under accredited recycling partners, ensuring that materials such as junction boxes, copper wiring and aluminium frames are recovered.
Local Councils
Several councils in the Hunter, including Maitland, Singleton and Dungog, are trialling solar panel collection through their resource recovery centres. Panels delivered to these facilities are redirected to accredited recyclers such as PV Industries or Sircel for processing. Residents should confirm availability with their local council’s Customer Service Centre before attending.
Central Coast
Ecoactiv
Ecoactiv operates on the Central Coast as part of its statewide network. Residents can book online for a collection or deliver panels to drop-off points within the region. Solar modules, inverters and batteries are dismantled into components such as aluminium frames and silicon cells for recovery.
'PV Industries'
PV Industries also services the Central Coast, offering collection and drop-off options for homeowners. Their recycling process complies with NSW disposal requirements under the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001, ensuring solar panel waste is diverted from landfill.
Local Councils
Central Coast Council occasionally runs e-waste recycling events that may accept solar panels. These are not ongoing services, so residents should check council announcements or contact the Customer Service Centre to confirm whether solar modules can be included at the next scheduled event.
Taree and Regional NSW
Environmental Solar Recycling Australia (ESRA)
ESRA provides recycling services for regional NSW, including towns such as Taree. They collect solar panels, inverters and batteries, dismantle them, and recover materials such as glass, aluminium frames and crystalline silicon. ESRA reports recovery rates of up to ninety-nine per cent.
Ecoactiv
Ecoactiv also provides coverage in Taree and surrounding areas. Pickup can be booked online, and panels are delivered to accredited recycling partners for processing.
'PV Industries'
PV Industries continues to expand its regional network and may be available in some Mid North Coast areas. Residents can contact them directly to confirm whether collection or drop-off is possible.
Local Councils
In smaller towns, some local councils provide e-waste collection events. While not all include solar panels, residents should confirm directly with their council’s Customer Service Centre to see whether solar modules, inverters or batteries can be included.
Other Options for Solar Panel Disposal
Selling or Giving Away
If solar panels are still performing, they can often be reused instead of entering the recycling process immediately. Homeowners may sell solar modules through Facebook groups, second-hand marketplaces or solar quotes forums. Others choose to give away panels to community groups or neighbours for smaller installations. Extending the performance life of panels in this way delays systems from becoming solar panel waste and reduces environmental impact.
Scrap Metal Collectors
Some scrap dealers and scrap metal collectors accept old panels, primarily to recover aluminium frames and copper wiring. While this does create a recycling loop for certain components, it does not address hazardous materials such as plastics, junction boxes or insulation. Panels handled outside accredited recycling partners may not meet disposal requirements under NSW Environment Protection Authority rules. For homeowners, this means using a scrap dealer is only a partial solution, not full compliance.
Local Installers
When upgrading a solar system, installers often include removal of existing solar panels, inverters and battery storage as part of the service. Many will send the equipment to an accredited recycling centre or to programs aligned with the Product Stewardship Scheme. Asking installers in advance about their recycling technology and accredited partners ensures the panels avoid landfill and supports recycling infrastructure in NSW.
Council E-Waste Events
Some local councils include solar panels in their e-waste recycling events, alongside items like white goods, air conditioners and other electronic waste. Because not all councils have the same recycling infrastructure, residents should confirm with Customer Service Centres whether solar modules are accepted at upcoming drop-off locations. Councils participating in these programs redirect panels into the proper recycling process, ensuring recovery of valuable natural resources while reducing pollution and carbon footprint.
