Retired batteries, solar panels, wind blades and grid equipment are becoming an industrial reserve of lithium, copper, silver, aluminum and steel. Projections show a growing contribution, though not enough to replace primary extraction entirely.
An international study projects 297–402 million tonnes of cumulative photovoltaic waste by 2060. Recovering silicon, silver, copper, aluminium and tellurium could create nearly $1 trillion in value, but requires early infrastructure, clear rules and fairer distribution of benefits.
Five of the 178 Indigenous candidates in 2022 reached the Chamber of Deputies, where the cocar caucus faces a ruralist bloc holding about 60% of the 513 seats. Its strategy combines land demarcation, social legislation and cross-party dialogue ahead of October's election.