How MG Waste Management can support with the recycling of solar panels.
Here at MG Waste Management Ltd, we're excited to introduce our UK wide solar panel recycling Service designed to make PV Panel recycling a breeze for you.
We provide a complete, compliant solar panel recycling and solar infrastructure removal service for homeowners, installers/fitters, facilities teams, and large commercial project managers. Whether you have a single domestic system or a multi-site industrial rollout, we help you remove, handle, and recycle solar equipment responsibly keeping your project safe, efficient and compliant.
We support:
Residential customers (homes, landlords, housing associations)
Commercial sites (offices, retail parks, warehouses)
Industrial locations (manufacturing, logistics, utilities)
Large-scale projects (solar farms, portfolio upgrades, end-of-life replacements)
End-to-end service: collection, removal, and compliant recycling
Solar panel recycling is rarely just “panels.” We manage the full scope of solar equipment and associated components, including:
Solar panels / PV modules
Mounting systems & fittings (frames, brackets, rails, fixings)
Cabling & containment (DC/AC cables, trunking, conduit)
Inverters (string inverters, central inverters, microinverters)
Battery storage systems (including lithium-ion systems, where applicable)
Balance of system equipment (junction boxes, isolators, monitoring units and related hardware)
If you need a single uplift or phased collections for a live site, we can design the approach around your programme.
Support for homeowners and residential removals
If you’re a homeowner and your system is damaged, outdated, or being replaced, we can help with a straightforward process:
Advice on what can be collected and how to prepare items safely
Collection arranged around your availability
Responsible recycling with compliant handling of relevant waste streams
Clear communication throughout, so you know exactly what is being removed and how it is processed
Where required, we can also advise on safe segregation of components (panels vs cabling vs electrical equipment), especially when systems include battery storage.
Large commercial and industrial projects
For commercial and industrial customers, we provide a structured, project-led service that can include:
Site assessments and collection planning
Phased removals to match refit timelines and minimise downtime
Bulk uplift and logistics coordination across single or multiple sites
Documentation support suitable for compliance and audit needs
Consignment-focused collections for mixed loads (panels, fittings, cabling, inverters, and batteries)
If your project includes ongoing works, we can schedule repeat collections to keep sites clear, safe, and operational.
Installers, fitters, and ongoing projects
We work closely with solar installers and fitters who need a dependable recycling and waste partner on active jobs. If you’re removing and replacing systems as part of upgrades, repairs, or maintenance programmes, we can support with:
Regular uplift arrangements (planned or on-demand)
Fast turnaround collections to reduce site clutter and risk
Flexible volumes from a few panels to full commercial arrays
Clear guidance on segregation and packaging so your team can keep moving
What we can handle
We can manage the recycling and removal of solar-related waste streams including:
PV modules and associated packaging
Mounting and fitting hardware
Electrical cabling and related materials
Inverters and electrical control equipment
Battery storage equipment (subject to classification and safe handling requirements)
If you’re unsure what category your equipment falls into, send us a list or photos and we’ll advise on the best route.
Book a collection / request a quote
Contact MG Waste Management to discuss your solar recycling requirement. We can support one-off collections, ongoing uplift schedules, and full project clearances.
Get in touch with your location, approximate volumes, and whether items are loose or palletised, and we'll propose the safest and most efficient collection plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are solar panels classed as hazardous waste in the UK?
Solar panels are classified as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) under the WEEE Regulations 2013, falling within Category 14. While not classed as hazardous waste in most cases, they contain materials such as lead, cadmium, and trace metals that can cause environmental harm if sent to landfill. Businesses cannot legally dispose of solar panels through general waste streams, they must be handled through an authorised route. MG Waste Management is fully licensed to collect, transport, and process solar PV waste in line with all current UK regulations. For a full breakdown of WEEE compliance for solar panels, see our complete UK guide.
Can I recycle a single broken solar panel from my home?
Yes. We collect single panels from residential addresses as well as larger volumes. Whether your system has been damaged in a storm, become faulty, or is being replaced as part of an upgrade, we can arrange a one-off collection at a time that suits you. Get in touch with your postcode and a few details about the panel and we'll provide a quote.
How much does solar panel recycling cost?
Costs depend on the volume, location, panel condition, and whether other equipment such as inverters, cabling, or batteries needs to be collected at the same time. Single domestic collections are priced differently to bulk commercial uplift or full solar farm decommissioning. Contact us with your location and approximate quantities and we'll provide a transparent quote with no hidden charges.
Do you provide waste transfer notes and recycling certificates?
Yes. Every collection comes with the appropriate documentation including a waste transfer note and, on request, a recycling certificate confirming compliant treatment of your panels. This is essential for businesses needing to evidence compliance for audits, ESG reporting, or duty-of-care obligations under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
What types of solar panels do you recycle?
We handle all common solar panel types including monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film PV modules. We also recycle the full range of associated equipment such as mounting systems, DC and AC cabling, string inverters, microinverters, central inverters, junction boxes, isolators, monitoring units, and battery storage systems including lithium-ion (subject to safe-handling assessment).
Do you cover solar farm decommissioning?
Yes. We support full solar farm decommissioning projects from site assessment through to bulk uplift, phased collections, and complete documentation. Our service is designed to minimise downtime and disruption while keeping the project compliant from start to finish. We work with asset owners, EPC contractors, and O&M teams across the UK.
How much of a solar panel can actually be recycled?
Industry recovery rates currently sit between 85% and 95% of panel materials by weight. Glass, the largest component, is recovered at around 95%, aluminium frames at close to 100%, and metals such as copper and silver are extracted for reuse. Recovered materials are returned to UK manufacturing supply chains wherever possible.
Where do you collect from?
We offer nationwide collection across the UK from our base in Manchester. Whether you're in the North West, London, Scotland, Wales, or anywhere in between, we can arrange logistics to suit your site and timescale.
How quickly can you arrange a collection?
For most jobs we can schedule collection within the same week, often within a few working days of confirmation. Larger projects involving solar farm decommissioning or multi-site rollouts are typically planned in phases by agreement. For urgent or time-sensitive removals, get in touch and we'll do our best to accommodate.
What's the difference between WEEE recycling and standard waste disposal?
Standard waste disposal usually means landfill or general recycling streams, neither of which is legal for solar panels. WEEE recycling is a regulated process carried out by Approved Authorised Treatment Facilities and licensed waste carriers. It involves dismantling, segregating, and processing materials in a way that recovers value and prevents environmental harm. MG Waste Management holds the relevant T11, T4, T9, T10, and S2 permits to handle this work compliantly.