About PV CYCLE aisbl
About PV CYCLE
PV CYCLE aisbl is the first non-profit organization specializing in the management of waste from photovoltaic panels and other products linked to photovoltaic power systems such as Electrical and Electronic Equipment, batteries and packaging.
PV CYCLE offers companies with sustainability objectives as well as to waste holders tailor-made waste management and legal compliance services on a global scale.
We intervene at every stage in the life cycle of a photovoltaic panel :
Our expertise, since the foundation of PV CYCLE in 2007, enables us to intervene right from the design stage, as consultants to "those placing products on the market" or to the institutions, which establish the rules governing the life cycle of photovoltaic panels.
From the moment they are placed on the market, where we help to ensure legal compliance in whatever country. And, of course, at the end of their life, where we manage everything as from the take-back to the final waste management phase, and we guarantee recycling rates in line with Extended Producer Responsibility.
Our mission is to offer our members and their customers the best solutions in all aspects of compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility and waste management. We achieve this by working with local subsidiaries as well as with partners all over the world ensuring the highest degree of customer proximity.
PV CYCLE a.i.s.b.l. (i.v.z.w.) is a non-profit organization, founded in 2007 by and for the photovoltaic industry.
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2007-2011
Set up as an classical industry association to discuss how a voluntary take-back and recycling programme for photovoltaic solar panels could be implemented.
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2008
In December 2008, the European Commission published its first draft of revision of the WEEE and the RoHs Directives, without reference to PV Panels.
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2010
During mid 2010, we already organized the first collection of PV Panels which were shipped to a recycling facility.
In December 2010, PV CYCLE submitted its Environmental Agreement related to a voluntary take-back programme of PV Panels across the European Union.
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2011
In 2011, we started invoicing our members with a contribution fee based upon the tonnes each one of them had put on the market.
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2012-2013
At the end of the first quarter of the year 2012, we achieved the milestone of having collected 1.000 tonnes of PV Panels, and this within a timespan of not even 2 years.
In August 2012, the recasted WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU has been published whereby photovoltaic panels have been put under the scope of this example of Extended Producer Responsibility legislation; at the same time, photovoltaic panels were exempted from the scope of the RoHs Directive 2011/65/EU about the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
This period has also been used for preparing our organization towards an environment whereby ‘producers’ or ‘first placers on the market’ need to be compliant with obligations related to Extended Producer Responsibility.
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2014
At the end of the first quarter of the year 2012, we achieved the milestone of having collected 1.000 tonnes of PV Panels, and this within a timespan of not even 2 years.
In August 2012, the recasted WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU has been published whereby photovoltaic panels have been put under the scope of this example of Extended Producer Responsibility legislation; at the same time, photovoltaic panels were exempted from the scope of the RoHs Directive 2011/65/EU about the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
This period has also been used for preparing our organization towards an environment whereby ‘producers’ or ‘first placers on the market’ need to be compliant with obligations related to Extended Producer Responsibility.
The key word as from is Extended Producer Responsibility.
Since then, PV CYCLE has set up or helped set up several other legal entities in Germany, Italy, France, Netherlands, Belgium and the United Kingdom in order to stay close to its participants.
You can discover the several country representations through our dedicated websites.
Besides the European Union and the United Kingdom, we are also represented in Japan (PV CYCLE Japan) and the LATAM Region through our partner, SUN’R, with origins in Brazil.
With the mission of always providing its members and their clients with the best solutions, PV CYCLE has become the preferred compliance and waste management partner for companies which must align with the obligations of Extended Producer Responsibility. Our solutions are renowned for being the benchmark within the photovoltaic industry and cover all aspects of Producer Responsibility and waste management. PV CYCLE provides its members, participants and any waste holder with the Best Available Techniques Not Exceeding Excessive Costs (BATNEEC) associated with the collection, transport, treatment, recovery and recycling of photovoltaic panels and other waste streams from photovoltaic power systems.
As an industry-based organization, PV CYCLE understands the priorities and substantial needs of its members, participants and their products.
Why choose PV CYCLE ?
PV CYCLE adheres to the principles of best practice. Best available techniques, transparent pricing, fair partnerships and sustainable solutions are what motivate us in our daily business.
