From wind farms to concrete: Old turbine blades could cut rebar emissions by 90%

Photo: Bangui Windmills Farm in Ilocos Norte… a tourist destination combining beauty of nature with the power of sustainable energy. Photo credit: Ranieljosecastanedvia Wikimedia Commons. CC0 1.0. Article by Atharva Gosavi. Interesting Engineering – October 13, 2026.

Wind turbines spend decades generating clean electricity, but their blades pose a difficult waste problem once they stop turning. Built from fiberglass that is expensive to break down, these components can end up in landfills even though much of the rest of a turbine is recyclable. Concrete and cement production offer a way to put that waste back to work. Recycling companies have found methods to recycle around 85% of a blade, recovering materials that can replace cement ingredients, provide kiln fuel, or reinforce concrete. […]

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