The Honourable Sussan Ley MP, the Minister for the Environment

Minister for Environment gives solar industry deadline to ‘step-up’ and address waste

Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley has given the solar industry until June 2022 to create and finalise an industry-led nationwide solar panel waste scheme.

If this deadline is not met, the industry may face regulation after a tabling of the latest Product Stewardship list in Parliament on June 22, 2021.

Following her speech in the National Press Club last week, Minister Ley signalled waste from solar systems as a looming environmental disaster.

“Solar panels have languished on the Government’s priority list for six years now. It is time for the industry to step up and address the issue of waste either stockpiling or ending up in landfill.” Minister Ley said.

Read the Minister’s full media release here.

Read more on the Minister’s Priority List for 2021-22 here.

The Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence is an independent, not for profit charity, that seeks to reduce waste generation and create positive environmental and social outcomes through sustainable design, resource conservation, reuse, repair, and recycling. The Centre helps businesses, industries, and product stewardship organisations to adopt a strong lifecycle approach to deliver their ESG and circular economy objectives. We also provide independent advice on product stewardship priorities to the Australian government.

Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence | c/- Institute for Sustainable Futures | University of Technology | PO Box 123 | Broadway NSW 2007