The race to find a way to recycle old turbine blades from windfarms

"In the Scottish port town of Irvine in Aryshire, almost 80 of Britain's oldest wind turbine blades lie disused in an old warehouse. Thirty years ago they towered 55 metres above the South Lanarkshire countryside, powering Scotland's first commercial windfarm at Hagshaw Hill. Today, they wait for a green energy breakthrough of another kind: blade recycling. Where they once stood, a clutch of 14 newer turbines have taken their place. They are larger, more powerful, and will generate five times more green electricity than the originals while taking up less space."

"About 85% to 90% of a wind turbine is made from steel and other materials that can be easily recycled. However, the carbon fibre blades, designed to withstand the wear and tear of the elements, are more difficult to break down. By 2030 Europe is expected to dismantle about 14,000 wind turbines, creating 40,000-60,000 tonnes of blade waste The race to find a way to recycle old turbine blades needs to progress apace."

"By 2030 Europe is expected to dismantle about 14,000 wind turbines, creating 40,000-60,000 tonnes of blade waste, according to WindEurope. Germany alone will account for approximately 23,300 tonnes, followed by Spain with 16,000 and Italy with 2,300. The US wind power industry is expected to follow suit. By 2050 the government expects wind turbine blade waste to range from about 200,000 to 370,000 tonnes a year as windfarms approved under the Biden administration reach the end of their lives."

Nearly 80 early wind turbine blades sit unused in a Scottish warehouse after powering Scotland's first commercial windfarm three decades ago. Fourteen newer, larger turbines now produce five times the electricity while occupying less space. Repowering across Europe increases clean generation but leaves thousands of obsolete blades. Around 85–90% of turbine mass is readily recyclable, yet carbon-fibre blades resist breakdown. Europe may dismantle roughly 14,000 turbines by 2030, creating 40,000–60,000 tonnes of blade waste, with Germany, Spain and Italy facing large shares. US projections foresee 200,000–370,000 tonnes annually by 2050, and some blades are landfilled.

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