China cracks down on illegal disposal of retired solar panels, wind turbines, and EV batteries
China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced a crackdown on illegal disposal of retired photovoltaic panels, wind turbine blades, and power batteries—termed the "new three" solid wastes. At a September 22 press conference, Director Zhong Bin detailed measures including clarifying producer responsibilities under the new Ecological Environment Code, issuing pollution control standards for recycling processes, and launching nationwide enforcement campaigns. The ministry identified over 10,000 heavy metal pollution sources in a separate campaign, with about 10% posing high environmental risk.
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China's Environment Ministry Pushes Recycling of Retired Solar Panels, Wind Turbines, and Batteries
China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, at its September 22 regular press conference, announced progress in evaluating ecological protection red lines over five years, showing improvement in key regions. Separately, the ministry addressed the growing volume of solid waste from retired photovoltaic panels, wind turbine blades, and power batteries—termed the 'new three' items. Solid Waste and Chemicals Department Director Zhong Bin stated that the ministry is working with other departments to improve environmental supervision and promote recycling and pollution prevention for these wastes. For retired photovoltaic and wind power equipment, the Ecological Environment Code mandates recycling or harmless disposal. For retired power batteries, an extended producer responsibility system requires companies to establish recycling systems matching their sales volumes. Authorities have issued policies to create a full lifecycle closed-loop management system and are intensifying enforcement against illegal dismantling and disposal, targeting these waste streams to channel them into legitimate recycling channels.
Read sourceChina's Environment Ministry Pushes Recycling of Solar, Wind, Battery Waste
On September 22, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) held a monthly press conference. Solid Waste and Chemicals Department Director Zhong Bin stated that retired photovoltaic panels, wind turbine blades, and power batteries—termed the 'new three types' of solid waste—pose a growing challenge for the healthy development of the new energy industry. He described illegal processing, such as small workshops burning photovoltaic panels to separate materials, causing pollution. The MEE has taken three main actions: first, improving regulations, including a new 'Ecological Environment Code' that assigns disposal responsibility to wind and solar power operators, and an extended producer responsibility system for power batteries; second, setting pollution control standards for processing these wastes, with a standard for wind turbine blades under development; and third, intensifying enforcement, including a nationwide crackdown on illegal disposal, with recent raids in Dongguan, Guangdong. Zhong Bin said future efforts will focus on stricter regulation of retired solar and wind equipment no longer used for power generation, and ensuring more retired power batteries enter formal recycling channels through the extended producer responsibility system.
Read sourceChina's environment ministry reports progress on heavy metal safety checks, finds over 10,000 pollution sources
At a September 22 press conference, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment provided updates on a year-long heavy metal environmental safety inspection campaign launched in July 2025. Solid Waste and Chemicals Department Director Zhong Bin stated that the campaign, targeting lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, thallium, and antimony, has achieved phased progress. Focused on five key provinces (Guangxi, Hunan, Jiangxi, Yunnan, Guangdong) and 21 key cities, authorities have identified over 10,000 pollution sources, with about 10% posing high environmental risk, mainly from historical mines and heavy metal waste. The ministry has developed technical guidelines for risk assessment and monitoring networks. Separately, Zhong addressed the growing waste from retired solar panels, wind turbine blades, and power batteries (the 'new three' items). He outlined regulations requiring producers to establish recycling systems, pollution control standards for processing, and enforcement actions against illegal dismantling, such as a crackdown in Dongguan, Guangdong. The ministry plans to strengthen supervision and promote正规 recycling channels for retired power batteries.
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China cracks down on illegal disposal of retired solar panels, wind turbines, and EV batteries
China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) announced a crackdown on illegal dismantling and disposal of retired photovoltaic (PV) modules, wind turbine blades, and power batteries—collectively termed the 'new three' solid wastes. At a September 22 press conference, MEE Solid Waste Director Zhong Bin described small workshops burning PV panels to separate materials, causing toxic fumes. The MEE has implemented three policy pillars: clarifying producer responsibility in the new Ecological Code, issuing pollution control standards for recycling processes (e.g., black powder roasting for batteries, lamination separation for PV), and launching nationwide enforcement campaigns targeting illegal dismantling. The ministry will classify retired PV and wind equipment no longer used for power generation as industrial solid waste under stricter supervision. For retired power batteries, it will enforce extended producer responsibility to channel more units into formal recycling. Separately, Zhong outlined progress on emerging pollutant control under the 14th Five-Year Plan, including a list of 14 priority chemicals with bans and restrictions, and announced plans for demonstration projects and a national technology center during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
Read sourceChina's Environment Ministry Cracks Down on Illegal Disposal of Retired Solar, Wind, Battery Waste
China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) is intensifying efforts to manage solid waste from retired photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind turbine blades, and power batteries—collectively termed the 'new three types' of solid waste. At a September 22 press conference, MEE Solid Waste Director Zhong Bin detailed ongoing measures: establishing a full lifecycle management system, issuing pollution control standards for waste lithium batteries and PV equipment, and launching nationwide crackdowns on illegal dismantling and disposal. Zhong described small workshops burning PV panels to separate materials, causing toxic fumes. The ministry is integrating retired PV and wind equipment into industrial solid waste regulation, enforcing extended producer responsibility for power batteries, and planning pilot projects for emerging pollutant co-treatment. These actions align with China's newly enacted Ecological Environment Code and the 15th Five-Year Plan, which prioritize new pollutant control and circular economy goals.
Read sourceChina's Environment Ministry Pushes Recycling and Pollution Control for New Energy Equipment
At a September 22 press conference, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) outlined efforts to manage waste from retired photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and power batteries—termed the 'new three' solid wastes. MEE official Zhong Bin stated that recycling and pollution control are essential for the healthy development of the new energy industry. The ministry has worked with other agencies on three fronts: First, improving regulations—the Ecological Environment Code clarifies disposal responsibilities for power generation firms, while a producer responsibility extension system applies to power battery makers. Second, setting pollution control standards, including technical specifications for lithium battery processing and photovoltaic waste recovery, with wind turbine standards under development. Third, intensifying enforcement against illegal dismantling and disposal, targeting new energy equipment in a nationwide crackdown. Future steps include stricter oversight of retired photovoltaic and wind equipment as industrial solid waste, expanding formal recycling channels for power batteries, and regular law enforcement against illegal recyclers.
Read sourceChina's Environment Ministry Pushes Recycling of Solar, Wind, and Battery Waste
At a September press conference, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced efforts to manage the growing volume of solid waste from retired photovoltaic panels, wind turbine blades, and power batteries—termed the 'new three' types of solid waste. The ministry is working with other agencies to improve environmental oversight and promote recycling and pollution prevention for these materials. An official from the ministry noted that the Ecological Environment Code mandates recycling or safe disposal of retired wind turbine blades and solar panels, and extends producer responsibility for retired power batteries, requiring companies to establish collection systems matching their sales volumes. The ministry has also issued policies to create a full lifecycle closed-loop management system. Director Zhong Bin of the Solid Waste and Chemicals Department stated that illegal dismantling and disposal of retired new energy equipment and batteries will be targeted for stricter enforcement. Additionally, the ministry is drafting pollution control standards for processes such as black powder roasting and metal recovery from batteries, separation of waste solar panel laminates, and harmless disposal of wind turbine blades.
Read sourceChina's Environment Ministry Pushes Recycling of Solar, Wind, and Battery Waste
At a September regular press conference, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced efforts to manage the growing volume of solid waste from retired photovoltaic panels, wind turbine blades, and power batteries—collectively termed the 'new three' types of solid waste. The ministry stated it is working with other departments to improve environmental oversight, promote recycling, and prevent pollution. For retired solar panels and wind equipment, which are primarily generated by power companies, the Ecological Environment Code mandates recycling or harmless disposal. For retired power batteries, a producer responsibility extension system requires companies to establish recycling systems matching their sales volumes. The ministry has already issued policies to create a full life-cycle closed-loop management system. Solid Waste and Chemicals Department Director Zhong Bin said illegal dismantling and disposal of retired new energy equipment and batteries will be targeted for strict enforcement, forcing waste to flow into formal channels. The ministry is also drafting pollution control standards for processes like black powder roasting and metal recovery from batteries, separation of waste photovoltaic module laminates, and harmless disposal of wind turbine blades.
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