A significant milestone has been achieved in New Jersey’s commitment to sustainability and clean energy. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has granted the first-ever permit for solar panel recycling to Commercial Solar Panel Recycling, located in Phillipsburg’s Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ).
Shawn M LaTourette, New Jersey Environmental Protection Commissioner, said in a statement, “New Jersey, as a national leader in renewable energy, has a responsibility to ensure the environmentally responsible development of the infrastructure that will help us reduce climate pollutants. This Research and Development permit is the first step in ensuring that New Jersey will have the appropriate protocols in place to sustainably process end-of-life solar panels.”
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has issued a special permit for a Research, Development & Demonstration (RD&D) project to manage non-hazardous end-of-life solar panels. This Certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO) allows Commercial Solar Panel Recycling to recycle old solar panels and recover valuable materials like glass, aluminum, and silicon. The company’s efforts will help reduce waste, conserve resources, and support a more sustainable, circular economy.
Bob Smith, New Jersey State Senator, prominent advocate for renewable energy projects in New Jersey, mentioned, “The NJDEP’s RD&D certification for solar panel recycling marks a critical step in advancing long-term solutions outlined in my newly introduced New Jersey Senate Bill 3399, which mandates end-of-life recycling for solar and photovoltaic energy facilities and structures. This milestone and CSPR’s initiative as the first solar panel recycling operation in New Jersey are an exciting start toward a greener, more sustainable future.”
Glenn Laga, Co-Founder and CEO of Commercial Solar Panel Recycling, also stated, “This permit represents a pivotal leadership moment in New Jersey’s sustainability journey, and we are proud to lead the charge in establishing a viable, scalable solution for solar panel recycling. By recovering and reintroducing valuable materials into the manufacturing process, we’re not only reducing New Jersey’s landfill waste but also creating new jobs in an emerging industry poised to manage the growing volume of end-of-life solar panels.”
Commercial Solar Panel Recycling is focused on helping reduce the amount of waste in American landfills by recycling solar panels in an eco-friendly way. Their facility, situated at the historic McGinley Mills, is now using advanced technology to extract valuable materials from old solar panels. This process helps reduce environmental harm and make the best use of resources.
