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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDNature

Towards an equitable future of global photovoltaic waste recycling

  • Chen Wang1
  • Jian Zuo2
  • Xinyu Chen3
  • Ruidong Chang2
  • Pengfei Yuan1
  • Kuishuang Feng4
  • Yu Xin1
  • Xi Liu1
  • Peipei Tian1
  • Jing Li5,6
  • John Laurence Esguerra7
  • Jiashuo Li5,6
7 affiliations
  1. 1Institute of Blue and Green Development, Shandong University, Weihai, China
  2. 2School of Civil Engineering and Construction Management, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
  3. 3School of Management, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Electromagnetic Engineering and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
  4. 4Department of Geography, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
  5. 5College of Economics and Management, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, PR China
  6. 6Institute of Blue and Green Development, Shandong University, Weihai, China. [email protected]
  7. 7Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
Open at sourceDOICite

Abstract

The world is facing a mounting challenge from the rapid increase in global photovoltaic (PV) waste, as the first generation of PV systems has reached their service life1,2. The climate and economic performance of PV waste management depends heavily on the selection of appropriate recycling strategies3,4. Here, we develop a comprehensive framework to evaluate recycling strategies across 30 regions from 2020 to 2060, assessing the economic and climate benefits of local versus outsourced recycling, covering major recycling technologies. Global PV waste is expected to reach 175–305 million tons (Mt) by 2060, with middle-income countries like China becoming major contributors post-2040. Recycling can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 117 Mt CO2 equivalent and yield US$3.3–18.9 billion in annual net benefits by 2060. Outsourced recycling lowers costs, however, raises inequity concerns for low-income regions. Our results highlight that subsidies temporarily mitigate disparities however wane in long-term efficacy. We suggest that phased subsidy frameworks and international cooperation, with a focus on technology transfer and funding for recycling capacity in low-income countries, provide effective ways to achieve equitable and scalable PV waste circularity.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{wang2026towards,
  title = {{Towards an equitable future of global photovoltaic waste recycling}},
  author = {Chen Wang and Jian Zuo and Xinyu Chen and Ruidong Chang and Pengfei Yuan and Kuishuang Feng and Yu Xin and Xi Liu and Peipei Tian and Jing Li and John Laurence Esguerra and Jiashuo Li},
  journal = {Nature},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1038/s41586-026-10905-w},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10905-w},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Towards an equitable future of global photovoltaic waste recycling
AU  - Chen Wang
AU  - Jian Zuo
AU  - Xinyu Chen
AU  - Ruidong Chang
AU  - Pengfei Yuan
AU  - Kuishuang Feng
AU  - Yu Xin
AU  - Xi Liu
AU  - Peipei Tian
AU  - Jing Li
AU  - John Laurence Esguerra
AU  - Jiashuo Li
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/12
JO  - Nature
DO  - 10.1038/s41586-026-10905-w
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10905-w
AB  - The world is facing a mounting challenge from the rapid increase in global photovoltaic (PV) waste, as the first generation of PV systems has reached their service life1,2. The climate and economic performance of PV waste management depends heavily on the selection of appropriate recycling strategies3,4. Here, we develop a comprehensive framework to evaluate recycling strategies across 30 regions from 2020 to 2060, assessing the economic and climate benefits of local versus outsourced recycling, covering major recycling technologies. Global PV waste is expected to reach 175–305 million tons (Mt) by 2060, with middle-income countries like China becoming major contributors post-2040. Recycling can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 117 Mt CO2 equivalent and yield US$3.3–18.9 billion in annual net benefits by 2060. Outsourced recycling lowers costs, however, raises inequity concerns for low-income regions. Our results highlight that subsidies temporarily mitigate disparities however wane in long-term efficacy. We suggest that phased subsidy frameworks and international cooperation, with a focus on technology transfer and funding for recycling capacity in low-income countries, provide effective ways to achieve equitable and scalable PV waste circularity.
SN  - 0028-0836
SN  - 1476-4687
ER  -