Dan Carrocci expresses concern about the significant waste generated by renewable energy technologies, stating, "I call it the 'big green elephant' of renewable energy is the waste material." He highlights that while the industry is growing, effective solutions for recycling and managing the end-of-life options for solar panels remain largely undeveloped.
The Smart Prosperity Institute's findings indicate a potentially massive environmental challenge, estimating by 2050 that Canada could face 365,000 to 470,000 tonnes of solar panel waste and around 4.5 million tonnes from wind turbines, stressing that current practices of stockpiling or landfilling are unsustainable.
Geoff McCarney underscores the dual nature of renewable energy's impact, warning that while increasing renewable energy usage is essential, there's an underlying risk that "we're creating other environmental problems while trying to address the climate problem," highlighting the urgent need for workable waste solutions.
Evan Wilson emphasizes the economic potential in tackling renewable waste by stating there’s significant opportunity for businesses to innovate solutions for managing decommissioned wind turbine blades and solar panels, suggesting a path forward in both environmental responsibility and business development.
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