FACTS:
8 million tons of plastics find their way into oceanic waterways every year. Using a simple chemical conversion, scientists are converting them into clean fuel. The process converts the plastics into naphtha, which can then be used for feedstock for steam reformers or even high-quality gasoline.
This process could decrease the demand for gasoline or diesel fuels by up to four percent by converting up to 90 percent of all polyolefin plastic waste.
QUOTES:
Linda Wang, the Maxine Spencer Nichols Professor in the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering at Purdue University and leader of the research team:
“Our strategy is to create a driving force for recycling by converting polyolefin waste into a wide range of valuable products, including polymers, naphtha (a mixture of hydrocarbons), or clean fuels,”
“Our conversion technology has the potential to boost the profits of the recycling industry and shrink the world’s plastic waste stock.”
SOURCE:
For the full breakdown, check out the article on Purdue’s site here.