New Jersey Approves Solar Panel Recycling Permit for CSPR

Pioneering Step for Sustainable Solar Panel Recycling in New Jersey
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has granted its first-ever Research, Development & Demonstration (RD&D) Project permit to Commercial Solar Panel Recycling (CSPR), marking a major milestone in the state’s push for sustainable solar panel management. The permit allows CSPR to begin processing non-hazardous end-of-life solar panels at its Phillipsburg facility, recovering valuable materials such as aluminum, glass, and silicon. This initiative aims to reduce waste, promote resource conservation, and drive forward New Jersey’s circular economy.

CSPR’s Leadership in Solar Panel Recycling and Environmental Impact
CSPR, based in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, is the first company in the state to receive approval to recycle solar panels under this new permit. Co-founder Glenn Laga highlighted that this moment is pivotal not only for the company but for New Jersey’s role in the renewable energy transition. By recovering valuable materials from old solar panels, CSPR is addressing two critical issues: the growing volume of solar panel waste and the need to close the loop in the manufacturing process. This initiative will not only reduce the state’s landfill waste but also create new jobs in an emerging, green industry that is essential to handling the increasing number of panels reaching their end-of-life.

Regulatory Framework for Solar Panel Recycling
The RD&D permit issued by the NJDEP establishes a regulatory framework for solar panel recycling in New Jersey. This framework is designed to support the management of universal waste, a category that includes non-hazardous materials. The permit limits CSPR’s intake to 100 tons of solar panels per day and mandates detailed tracking of each panel’s origin and transportation method. CSPR is also required to file semiannual and final reports on its recycling activities, ensuring transparency and accountability in the recycling process. These requirements are part of a broader initiative to manage materials that are recyclable but not classified as hazardous waste, streamlining their collection and processing.

New Jersey’s Commitment to Renewable Energy and Circular Economy
New Jersey has been a leader in promoting renewable energy and now aims to set a precedent for solar panel recycling. NJDEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette stated that this permit is just the beginning of ensuring the state has sustainable methods in place for handling end-of-life solar panels. This initiative is aligned with New Jersey Senate Bill 3399, introduced by State Sen. Bob Smith, which mandates recycling for solar and photovoltaic energy systems as they reach the end of their useful life. These regulatory steps are critical in supporting the state’s long-term renewable energy and waste management goals.

CSPR Expands Nationwide, Paving the Way for Industry Growth
CSPR operates a 35,000-square-foot processing facility in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, and has plans to utilize cutting-edge technologies to extract valuable materials from solar panels, minimizing environmental impact. The company also has additional facilities in Atwater, California; Somerset, Kentucky; Temple, Texas; and Mankato, Minnesota. This national footprint reflects CSPR’s role as a key player in the solar panel recycling sector, contributing to the growth of a circular economy and the responsible management of solar waste.