How to recycle outdoor solar lights (solar power, recycling, paper, companies)

[riveree]

So I had bought some of those cheap outdoor solar lights - the ones you just stick in the ground - and they worked for one season then quit.

I recharged the rechargeable batteries and even replaced some, but no dice, these lights are goners!

So now I'm wondering if I need to do something special to recycle them? I will remove the batteries for future use, but what about the tops? They have those little solar stickers on top - what's in them? Anything hazardous?

[K'ledgeBldr]

Considering they are mostly sand (silica), it's hard to say.
Most "thin-skin" cells are made of the following:

Amorphous silicon
Polycrystalline silicon
microcrystalline silicon
cadium telluride

[motormaker]

Good article to read with some places to get rid of haz. waste at the end of the article.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-onlin...35950086.shtml

[riveree]

Originally Posted by motormaker

Good article to read with some places to get rid of haz. waste at the end of the article.

Jacksonville.com

Thanks Motormaker !

Hey, did you know that was my local paper?? I guess you did .

Yes, I am familiar with the hazardous waste drop-off place, and I guess I could take them there.

These are the thin-skinned ones, as K'ledge described - they're like stickers on top of the light fixture.

[sunnybp]

The main parts of solar power light as
1)solar PV panel (life time 4-5 years)
2)lighting circuit (life time 4-5 years)
3)Recharge battery(life time 1-2 years)
The poor quality battery will have very short life time. some components' pin may break off from the PCB circuit.

[hehong]

recycle solar lightsI like

[GreenLiving]

Hi you can recycle your solar lights here: [url=http://www.yoursolarlink.com/solar-lights-recycling]Solar Lights Recycling | Your Solar Link[/url]. And even get something out of it... Read more: RECYCLE YOUR OLD SOLAR LIGHTS – GET MONEY FOR YOUR NEXT PURCHASE!...

[IamCSpelch]

Some Solar Lights Recycling companies offer coupons for your next solar light purchase to refund you for mailing your old solar light to their facilities.