en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Western Australian government has announced an investment of AU$17.8 million in the 2026-27 fiscal year budget to expand the state's capacity for recycling end-of-life solar panels and embedded batteries, aiming to protect the environment while boosting local manufacturing and resource recovery.
Under the Cook Labor government's "Remade in WA" initiative, AU$13 million will be allocated to develop processes for collecting, transporting, and processing end-of-life solar panels from households and solar farms, with the goal of reducing landfill waste and recovering valuable materials. Additionally, AU$3 million will support local governments in promoting the collection of embedded batteries—including those in electric mobility devices and household appliances—at their facilities, while AU$1.8 million will be used for the ongoing delivery of the project.
The Western Australian government stated that these measures aim to support a more circular economy, centered on building local capacity to underpin future recycling and material processing activities. The government said this investment will also lay the foundation for the local emerging recycling industry by encouraging private sector participation and retaining more value from clean energy infrastructure within the state.
Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said the funding is intended to alleviate environmental pressures while improving waste management systems. He noted that this investment is about protecting and restoring the environment so that future generations can continue to enjoy Western Australia's unique landscapes, and that these plans aim to reduce landfill, recover valuable materials, and improve the way complex waste streams such as solar panels and embedded batteries are managed. Energy, Decarbonisation and Manufacturing Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson pointed out that as the adoption of renewable energy increases, this initiative reflects the growing demand for end-of-life infrastructure solutions. She said that as Western Australia becomes a global clean energy powerhouse, this investment will ensure readiness for the future, benefiting local jobs, local businesses, and our environment.
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