Status quo and strategy of disposing and recycling waste composite insulators

Composite insulators that have been in service for over 10 years account for more than half of the total number of composite insulators in China. Due to the aging of materials, some composite insulators have to be phased out of the power grid when they approach their service deadline. As the running time increases, the number of waste composite insulators grows year by year. If not disposed properly, the waste composite insulators will cause serious damage to ecological environment. The disposal of waste composite insulators has become an issue that needs to be addressed urgently, so as to ensure the safe, economical and efficient operation of the grid and maintain the healthy and sustainable development of the composite insulator industry. This paper summarizes the status quo of disposing waste composite insulators through a large number of investigations and statistics, and explores the recycling methods of waste composite insulators based on the existing problems. Finally, solutions are provided to recycle waste composite insulators from four perspectives, namely pretreatment before recycling, advanced treatment of silicon rubber, development and verification of recycling products, and recycling and disposal strategy. The recycling and disposal strategy of waste composite insulators is further improved by providing policy guidance, strengthening management and establishing a sound recycling mechanism. The findings can promote the "recycle, decrease and decontamination" of waste from the power grid, and help China build a new green and eco-friendly grid.