PV CYCLE launches take-back and recycling service in Japan

PV CYCLE’s waste solutions now open for companies and PV owners in Japan

Brussels/Akita, March 1st, 2016 – PV CYCLE, the industry-led take-back and recycling solution for electronic and electrical solar energy equipment, has today announced to offer its waste management service for production and post-consumer waste to Japanese companies and commercial owners.

The regional expansion is the next step in PV CYCLE’s business development plan of 2013, when the Brussels-based association first opened its take-back and recycling services to other electronic and electrical solar energy equipment. The association today covers PV modules, inverters, batteries and other equipment falling under WEEE or Battery legislation in its portfolio.

“The Japanese PV market is the natural fit for our expansion to other regions of the world: a 23-GW market with a long history in PV module installation and a high environmental commitment on the part of consumers and companies”, said Jan Clyncke at the signing ceremony of the first Japanese PV collection point under the Government-funded Akita Photovoltaics Recycling Model Project (APV). PV CYCLE supports APV with its unsurpassed take-back and recycling expertise and the tailor-made PV CYCLE collection box. Fourteen collection points have since been opened to collect small quantities of PV panel waste.

“In addition to helping APV build up a collection network for small quantities of PV module waste, PV CYCLE will accelerate sustainable waste management in compliance with national and local regulations in Japan by offering its waste management service for large (B2B) quantities”, added Olmina Della Monica, Head of Treatment & Operations at PV CYCLE Association.

The waste management service is a tailor-made company solution including an on-site pick-up service for large quantities of solar energy equipment waste and PV CYCLE’s state-of-the-art recycling.

In Europe, PV CYCLE today guarantees average recycling rates between 90 and 97%. Only recently the association made significant breakthroughs in higher-quality recycling, recovering precious metals and silicon from EVA flakes.