Building Trust in Recycling: How Second Life Solar Systems Can Help Your Business Showcase a Circular Economy

The recycling industry in Australia is facing a serious challenge—trust.

A recent study showed that 41% of Australians don’t believe their recycling will be properly processed, and 18% mistakenly believe that everything collected just ends up in landfill. Even more concerning, 49% of Australians identify a lack of trust in the recycling process as a barrier to participating in recycling as a society.

For recycling businesses, this trust issue presents a significant hurdle. If the public doesn’t believe in recycling, they’re less likely to engage in it, they are less likely to sort their recycling properly leading to contamination and ongoing costs to your business – not to mention the eye rolls you have to deal with at the local school BBQ whenever you mention recycling or the circular economy.

The good news? There’s a clear way forward—one that not only reinforces your commitment to sustainability but also provides a tangible example of what the circular economy looks like in practice.

RELATED: Australia’s Largest Solar Energy Project Using 100% Reused Panels commissioned at the Kurrajong Recycling facility

Rebuilding Trust with a Circular Economy Solution

One of the most powerful ways to restore confidence in recycling is by showing, not just telling, how circular economy principles work. A circular economy thrives on reuse, resource efficiency, and waste reduction—exactly what the public needs to see in action.

That’s where Second Life Solar comes in.

At Second Life Solar, we provide second life solar systems—solar panels that have been decommissioned but are still viable and can be repurposed for new installations. These panels are a perfect example of how resources can be reused rather than discarded, showing your customers and stakeholders the practical benefits of a circular economy.

In August 2024, Australia’s largest solar energy installation using 100% reused solar panels was commissioned at the Kurrajong Recycling Facility in Wagga Wagga, NSW. This project, developed by Second Life Solar, is a groundbreaking example of how recycling businesses can lead by example, using second life solar systems to power their operations while visibly promoting sustainability.

Why Second Life Solar Systems Make Sense for Recycling Companies

1. Lead by Example: Recycling companies are at the heart of the circular economy. By installing a second life solar system, you’re not just talking about reuse—you’re actively participating in it. This sends a powerful message to your customers, stakeholders, and the wider community: that recycling and reusing are not only possible but also happening in real-time.

2. Showcase Transparency:  When the public sees a recycling company using second life solar panels to generate energy, they immediately grasp the concept of reusing valuable materials. This can bridge the gap in trust, offering a visible example of how recycling works beyond the collection bin. 49% of Australians feel that the lack of trust in the process is a barrier—you have the opportunity to break down that barrier with a tangible demonstration.

3. Meet Circular Economy and Sustainability Goals:  Recycling businesses are circular by nature but with a Second life solar system you have a cost-effective solution that saves you money and helps your business meet its net zero and sustainability targets (Note – we provide a certificate to ISO59020:2024 Circular economy — Measuring and assessing circularity performance with a measure of your systems percentage circularity with every project). Plus it is great for your ESG reporting – imagine telling the story of the local family whose old solar panels are now powering your facility and demonstrating what the circular economy is all about rather than droning on about how many tonnes of this material and that material you have processed.

Power Your Recycling Facility with Circular Solar Solutions

Recycling companies have a unique opportunity to restore public trust in the process by embracing a circular economy in their own operations. By partnering with Second Life Solar, you can demonstrate the practical, visible benefits of reusing materials and reducing waste.

Want to learn how second life solar systems can power your facility and strengthen your sustainability message? Contact Second Life Solar today to discuss how we can help you showcase the circular economy at work.

RELATED: 4 Ways to Integrate Circular Economy Principles into Your Solar Energy Project