Risk or opportunity? The legacy of batteries and solar panels

As batteries and solar panels spread, a new waste stream is emerging: the question is not whether there will be waste, but where and how it will be recovered. Anita Simon, ALTEO’s Deputy CEO responsible for sustainability and circular economy, spoke about this at Portfolio’s Sustainable World 2026 conference.

The figures point in a clear direction. In 2023, only 5.2 million tonnes of e-waste were collected in the EU, compared with 14.4 million tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market. ALTEO estimates that by 2030 around 20,000–38,000 tonnes of battery manufacturing waste could be generated annually in Hungary, while after 2035 the volume of solar panel waste in Central and Eastern Europe could reach 270,000–380,000 tonnes per year.

As building processing capacity takes years, preparations must start now if the valuable raw materials in batteries and solar panels are to stay in circulation within the Hungarian economy.