The UK is steadily increasing its reliance on secondary materials — resources recovered through recycling and reuse — as part of its push towards a circular economy
In 2024, over 1.2 million tonnes of secondary materials were recovered across the country. Among these, solar panel recycling is still a small slice of the total, but it is also one of the fastest-growing streams.
At Solar Recycling Solutions (SRS), we’re proud to play a role in this growth, keeping valuable materials from solar panels in circulation and within the UK supply chain.
Why Secondary Materials Matter
Every tonne of secondary material recovered is a tonne that doesn’t need to be mined, extracted, or manufactured from scratch. This means:
- Lower carbon emissions compared to primary production
- Less reliance on overseas raw materials, boosting supply chain resilience
- Reduced landfill pressure and environmental impact
By keeping materials circulating, the UK reduces waste and moves closer to its 2050 net zero targets.
Solar Recycling: A Fast-Growing Share
In 2024, solar panel recycling accounted for an estimated 8,000–10,000 tonnes of recovered material in the UK. While modest compared to total recovery, this figure is projected to increase fivefold by 2030.
This demonstrates that solar is one of the fastest-growing recovery stream, even if the current tonnage is smaller than more established sectors.
Long-Term Trajectory
Looking ahead, the growth curve is steep:
- 2024: ~10,000 tonnes
- 2030: ~50,000 tonnes
- 2050: up to 1.5 million tonnes globally, with a significant UK share.
This trajectory highlights why it’s critical to build recycling capacity today.
SRS and the Circular Economy
Unlike many recyclers, SRS guarantees that all recovered materials are kept closed-loop within the UK. Nothing is exported for low-grade treatment — instead, glass, metals, and silicon feed directly back into British industry.
We also issue detailed destruction reports, giving our clients complete traceability of what was recovered from their panels and where it went.
At SRS, we’re not just recycling panels — we’re helping to build the UK’s circular economy.
If you’re looking for a partner who keeps recovered materials in the UK supply chain, supports your ESG reporting, and provides full destruction reports, SRS is your trusted choice.
