Can wind turbine blades be recycled?
Wind turbine blades, made mostly of fiberglass, often end up in landfills. About 85% of the other material in wind turbines, including steel and copper wire, "has substantial salvage value and is recyclable," according to the American Wind Energy Association.
According to the association, the lifespan of a wind turbine blade is from 20 to 30 years. They are large and hard to transport, but unlikely to pose further hazards once disposed of. An industry research group estimated in April that blades could generate a cumulative 4 million tons of landfill waste through 2050. By comparison, U.S. cities sent 139 million tons of waste to landfills in 2017.
Researchers are currently investigating end-of-life strategies for decommissioned blades, including reusing the material for insulation, decking, particle board, pallets and other purposes.