Solar Panels
Solar panels don't belong in curbside recycling or regular trash. The EPA points residents to certified recyclers via the Department of Energy's Solar Manufacturing Map or Earth911; look for a recycler holding SERI's R2 Standard or e-Stewards certification. Contact your original installer or the panel's manufacturer first, some offer their own take-back option.
Curbside recycling?
No
Not accepted in curbside recycling or household trash. Some landfills will accept a panel directly with the landfill's approval, per Washington State's Department of Ecology, but recycling is the preferred option since about 80% of a panel's weight is aluminum and glass.
Safety note
Toxic metals like lead and cadmium may be present in some solar panel types, per the EPA, handle a cracked or damaged panel carefully and don't attempt to dismantle it yourself.
How to prepare it
- Contact your original installer or the panel manufacturer first, some offer their own take-back or recycling option
- If not, search the Department of Energy's Solar Manufacturing Map or Earth911 for a certified recycler near you
- Prefer a recycler certified to SERI's R2 Standard or e-Stewards, per the EPA
Common fees
Varies by recycler, no nationwide free program exists yet, per the EPA.
Quantity limits
Not confirmed
Residency restrictions
Washington State passed a law requiring manufacturers to fund a free residential takeback program for panels purchased after July 1, 2017, but as of this writing the program's launch has been delayed, manufacturer compliance deadlines were pushed from 2025 to January 31, 2031, so it isn't yet usable in practice, per the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Appointment required?
Not confirmed
Transporting it safely
Handle carefully to avoid cracking the glass, a damaged panel may release the metals inside it.
Nearby locations
No locations yet for this item
Our facility coverage is still expanding beyond Los Angeles and Houston. Check the retailer/manufacturer programs above, or your city's official page.
Frequently asked questions
- Where can I recycle solar panels?
- Solar panels don't belong in curbside recycling or regular trash. The EPA points residents to certified recyclers via the Department of Energy's Solar Manufacturing Map or Earth911; look for a recycler holding SERI's R2 Standard or e-Stewards certification. Contact your original installer or the panel's manufacturer first, some offer their own take-back option.
- Can solar panels go in curbside recycling?
- Not accepted in curbside recycling or household trash. Some landfills will accept a panel directly with the landfill's approval, per Washington State's Department of Ecology, but recycling is the preferred option since about 80% of a panel's weight is aluminum and glass.
- Is there a safety concern with solar panels?
- Toxic metals like lead and cadmium may be present in some solar panel types, per the EPA, handle a cracked or damaged panel carefully and don't attempt to dismantle it yourself.
Sources
Programs, hours, fees, eligibility, and accepted materials can change. Confirm details with the facility before traveling.
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