The article in the url below sheds some light on the environmental impact of the wind turbines that have grown in line with the accessibility of wind energy. In one small town in Texas, for example, where a lot of used blades have been discarded, the problem is more than a local nuisance:
"For nearly a decade, residents of Sweetwater have been confronted by a jarring sight as they leave and enter this small West Texas town: thousands of used wind-turbine blades. The blades take up nearly 1 million square feet in a field off Interstate 20. Hundreds more occupy a second site nearby. Originally up to 200 feet long — nearly the wingspan of a Boeing 747 — the blades have been cut into thirds, exposing gaping openings. Locals complain they're a haven for rattlesnakes, collect water that attracts mosquitoes and pose a threat to children living nearby."
To be sure, no-one is suggesting wind turbines approach the environmental impact of fossil fuels. But, this particular problem will only get worse as the value of wind energy continues to increase:
"[This situation] offers a window into the larger challenge of disposing of turbine blades, and other complex plastic-infused materials, after their useful life. Blade waste has been increasing as older turbines are replaced or refurbished, and the world could see some 43 million tons of it by 2050, according to one estimate."
In particular, it is the blades of the wind turbine that are so challenging:
"Up to 90% of a wind turbine's mass can be easily recycled, but not the blades. They contain layers of fiberglass or carbon fiber wrapped around a core of balsa wood or plastic foam. Liquid resin is drawn through the fibers and cured, hardening the structure. Separating these materials for recycling is complex and costly. Transportation adds to the expense, since moving the blades often requires specialist trucks and permits."
Take care
David
David Chandler
Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility: Sustainable Value Creation (6e)
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Blown opportunity
By Saabira Chaudhuri
March 31, 2026
Bloomberg Green Daily
