Iowa Company Recycles Wind Turbine Blades into Traffic Barriers

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A company based in Bondurant, Iowa has found a way to recycle the giant blades from wind turbines, using their ground up parts to make concrete traffic barriers and other construction products. Renewablade collects retired wind turbine blades, shreds the materials, and combines them into a ready-mix concrete blend that is 30% lighter than traditional concrete.

Why it matters

As the wind energy industry continues to grow, the disposal of old turbine blades has become an increasing environmental concern. Renewablade's innovative recycling process provides a sustainable solution that diverts these massive fiberglass and composite materials from landfills.

The details

Renewablade, founded by Nick Wylie, can go to wind turbine sites and cut the blades into sections to haul away, or customers can bring in blade sections to recycle for a tipping fee. The blade parts are then shredded and combined into a concrete blend that Wylie says is 30% lighter than traditional concrete. In addition to the traffic barriers, the company also makes landscaping blocks and other large-scale concrete construction products.

• Renewablade was founded in the Des Moines suburb of Bondurant.
• The company has a growing list of clients who want their 10-foot-long, 3,300-pound concrete traffic barriers.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Renewablade plans to continue expanding its recycling efforts as more wind turbines reach the end of their lifespan in the coming years.