There is also a lack of comprehensive data on the material stocks contained in these waste streams.
Moreover, while the wider use of green energy technologies will deliver substantial environmental benefits, this is also expected to create other environmental pressures. The manufacture of technologies such as PV panels and wind turbines, for example, is increasing demand for the extraction of specific raw materials. Researchers have also warned that increasing volumes of waste from the green technology sector could impose a significant environmental and economic burden on future generations. New types of waste are also generated when these technologies reach their end of life. Increasing the recycling of green energy technologies when they reach their end-of-life, can contribute to both reducing environmental impacts of this waste stream and increasing the security of supply of materials that are key for this value chain. However, greater capacity for handling green technologies’ waste and more advanced techniques for recycling are needed. There is also a lack of comprehensive data on the material stocks contained in these waste streams.