It is difficult to ascertain how old this picture is. Whilst it is true that traditionally some old turbine blades have gone to landfill, this is changing.
Quote "Wind turbine blades can be recycled, but it is challenging and not yet universal. While 85-90% of a turbine (steel, copper, gearboxes) is easily recycled, blades are made of durable fibreglass/carbon fibre composites, often resulting in landfill disposal. However, new recycling technologies and repurposing methods are rapidly developing, with goals for 100% recyclability by 2030. [1, 2, 3]
Current Recycling and Disposal Methods
Cement Co-processing: The most common method, where shredded blades replace raw materials and fuel in cement production.
Mechanical Crushing: Blades are ground into materials for filler, panels, or industrial products.
Thermal/Chemical Recycling: Technologies like pyrolysis or chemical baths are emerging to separate resins from fibers for reuse, though many are still in pilot stages.
Repurposing: Blades are increasingly used in civil engineering, such as bridges, playground equipment, and noise barriers. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Future Outlook and Innovation
Recyclable Blades: Manufacturers are developing new resin technologies—such as Siemens Gamesa's RecyclableBlade and NREL's Pecan FRC—that allow materials to be easily separated and reused at end-of-life.
Industry Commitment: Major firms aim for zero-waste turbines by 2030–2040. [1, 2, 3, 4]
While landfilling is still a common, cost-effective method for older blades, the increasing number of decommissioned turbines is driving the economic viability of recycling. [1]
What happens to wind farms in Victoria when turbines ... - ABC News
In short: The Clean Energy Council says there are options for old wind farms as the originals approach the end of their life expec...
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Recycling Wind Turbines, Solar Panels and Batteries: Fact Sheet
Can wind turbine blades be recycled? Wind turbine blades are made of materials such as fibreglass or carbon fibre, as they are des...
Clean Energy Council" End Quote
Any newer technology creates problems that at first are challenging. We do tend to give a free pass to existing technologies. Consider the size of the pile of coal that would be required to generate the electricity that those blades generate in their operational life. Coal has end-of-life problems, also.
Quote "Coal ash is managed through a combination of recycling and landfilling/storage. [1, 2, 3]
1. Recycling and Beneficial Use
A significant portion of fly ash is reused, rather than disposed of. [1, 2, 3]
Concrete Production: Fly ash is a high-performance substitute for Portland cement. It improves concrete durability and reduces the carbon footprint of construction.
Structural Fill and Roads: Bottom ash and fly ash are used for road base, structural fill, embankments, and stabilizing soft soils.
Brick and Block Making: Ash is used to make bricks, construction blocks, and lightweight aggregate.
Other Uses: Boiler slag is used for roofing granules and blasting grit. [1, 2, 3, 4]
2. Disposal Methods
Unused ash must be disposed of, often using "wet" or "dry" methods. [1]
Ash Ponds/Dams (Wet Method): The ash is mixed with water to create a slurry and pumped into large holding ponds. This was traditionally the cheapest method, but it poses high risks for leaching toxic heavy metals into groundwater, particularly if the ponds are unlined.
Dry Landfills (Dry Method): The ash is stored dry in landfills, which is considered safer as it reduces the potential for leaching, provided the landfill is properly lined.
Mine Backfilling: Dry ash is sometimes placed back into old, abandoned coal mines. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Environmental and Safety Issues
Leaching: Contaminants in ash ponds can seep into groundwater and surface water, creating toxic cocktail, according to reports in Australia.
Dust Management: Dry ash, if not covered, can be blown from storage sites into surrounding communities, posing respiratory health risks.
Spills: Large-scale failures of ash dams, such as the 2008 Kingston disaster in the US, have caused massive environmental damage. [1, 2, 3, 4]
As coal-fired power plants age and close, the rehabilitation of these ash dams is a significant environmental concern. [1, 2]"