Abstract:The rapid growth of renewable energy, particularly wind power, has led to the large-scale construction and operation of wind farms. By the end of 2024, the global installed wind power capacity had reached 1 136 GW, with China leading the world by contributing over 520 GW. Consequently, the number of decommissioned wind turbine blades is rising at an accelerating rate, indicating an impending surge in waste volume. This impending surge of composite waste has elevated the recycling and disposal of wind turbine blades from a niche concern to a pressing global environmental challenge. Wind turbine blades are primarily composed of high-performance composite materials, notably glass fibers, carbon fibers, polymer resins, and various core materials. These components are engineered for durability and strength, which also gives them significant resource value. The recovery and reclamation of these valuable materials are crucial for fostering a circular economy within the renewable energy sector itself. However, the technologies for separating and recycling these materials pose significant challenges and risks of causing secondary pollution. This study systematically analyzes the generation characteristics of waste wind turbine blades to project future waste volumes; comprehensively compares existing recycling technologies from technical, economic, and environmental perspectives, based on the blades’ structural and material properties; and discusses future technological developments. Furthermore, by reviewing national and provincial policies, this paper elucidates the current policy landscape and future directions for the recycling sector. Results indicate that, based on a 20 – 25-year blade service life, global waste blade volumes are projected to surge from approximately 200,000 tons in 2025 to 2.6 – 6.0 million tons by 2050. China′s share is expected to reach 900000 –1.9 million tons by 2050. For the glass and carbon fibers in blades, glass fiber recycling primarily utilizes incineration, co-processing in cement kilns, and mechanical-physical recovery. In contrast, higher-value methods such as pyrolysis and chemical processing are favored for carbon fiber recycling. In terms of resource recovery technologies, thermal treatment processes are relatively mature and have achieved industrial application; however, they offer low economic returns and pose significant challenges in controlling secondary pollution. Although chemical separation technologies are highly efficient and yield valuable recovered products, their complex procedures and high operating costs have prevented widespread industrial adoption. Mechanical-physical methods, typically used as pretreatment steps, are low-cost and widely implemented in industry. However, they require integration with chemical or thermal processes to achieve efficient separation and full-scale recovery. Effectively addressing the recycling of discarded wind turbine blades is crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability and circularity of the wind power industry itself, requiring joint efforts from both industry and research sectors. Close-