With an increasing dependence on wind-generated electricity and the ever-growing size of the turbines, the issue of waste from wind turbines is significant and evolving
Wind Turbine Blades Will Continue to Pile Up at U.S. Landfills
Wind turbines are designed to last approximately 20 to 25 years. While the main core of wind turbines are made from steel and copper, which are recyclable materials, turbine blades are made from composite glass or carbon material and resins, which are not as valued and are generally disposed at landfills. Turbine blades span up to 260 feet and weigh an average of 36 tons, posing a difficult disposal problem. Because of their size and weight, turbine blades typically need to be cut up before they can be moved.
