Omar Khalid
Plastic is a part of our daily lives, but only 9% of it is recycled. The rest is incinerated or ends up in our oceans and landfills, where it can take up to 450 years to biodegrade. While it is possible to recycle plastic into valuable fuels and solvents, the cost of separating plastics and recycling them is high, and it is cheaper and easier to make new plastic out of oil. However, some companies are drawing up plans for pyrolysis plants, which can recycle large amounts of plastic waste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of plastic recycled | 9% |
| Percentage of plastic incinerated | 12% |
| Percentage of plastic in oceans and landfills | 79% |
| Cost of making plastic from recycled plastic vs oil | More expensive to make plastic from recycled plastic |
What You'll Learn
Plastic pyrolysis plants
Chevron Phillips has been awarded a patent for its proprietary pyrolysis process, and ExxonMobil has announced it is considering opening pyrolysis plants in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Beaumont, Texas; and Joliet, Illinois. ExxonMobil already operates a pyrolysis facility in Baytown, Texas, which the company claims will recycle 500,000 tons of plastic waste annually by 2026.
However, critics have noted a lack of transparency about how much plastic these companies are recycling and what the end product will be used for. There are also economic challenges to recycling plastic, as it is cheaper and easier to make new plastic out of oil than out of plastic trash. The costs of separating plastics are also high, and the low cost of using oil to make plastic means that recycling plastic waste is not yet economically justifiable.
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Plastic-to-fuel technology
A kilo of waste plastic can yield up to a litre of fuel, whereas incinerating the same amount of plastic would produce three kilos of CO2. Despite the environmental benefits, the cost of separating plastics and the low cost of using oil to make plastic means that recycling plastic waste is often not economically viable.
However, with the energy transition underway, governments are beginning to support recycled carbon fuels, including those made from plastic waste. For example, ExxonMobil already operates a pyrolysis facility in Baytown, Texas, which the company claims will recycle 500,000 tons of plastic waste annually by 2026.
While plastic-to-fuel technology shows promise, there are concerns about the lack of transparency around the amount of plastic being recycled and the end use of the recycled products.
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Plastic recycling is not economically viable
Some companies are drawing up plans for pyrolysis plants, which can extract valuable fuels and solvents from waste plastic. However, there is a lack of transparency about how much plastic they are recycling and what the end product will be used for.
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Plastic waste-to-fuel
Plastic is a material that is hard to imagine life without. However, only 9% of plastic is recycled, with 12% incinerated and the remaining 79% ending up in our oceans and landfills.
The UK government has recently enabled support for recycled carbon fuels, including those made from plastic waste. This is a new process that comes with its own set of challenges.
One of the challenges of recycling plastic is the cost. It is cheaper and easier to make new plastic out of oil than it is to make it out of plastic trash. The cost of separating plastics is high, and the cost of using oil to make plastic is low, making it difficult to justify the recycling of plastic waste from an economic standpoint.
Despite this, some companies are drawing up plans for pyrolysis plants to help with the problem of plastic pollution. Pyrolysis is a process that can extract valuable fuels and solvents from waste plastic. A kilo of waste can yield up to a litre of fuel. This technology is growing in popularity and demand, although commercial machines for home use are still expensive.
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Plastic pollution
Despite these advancements, there is criticism regarding the lack of transparency about the amount of plastic being recycled and the end use of the recycled products. Additionally, the energy transition underway has prompted governments, such as the UK, to support recycled carbon fuels made from plastic waste.
The issue of plastic pollution is complex, and while there are efforts to improve recycling rates and reduce environmental impact, the economics of plastic production and recycling continue to pose challenges. It is crucial to address plastic pollution through a combination of policy changes, technological advancements, and public awareness to ensure a sustainable future.
Furthermore, it is important to note that plastic has become an integral part of our daily lives, and it is challenging to imagine life without it. However, the convenience and versatility of plastic come at a cost to the environment. As consumers, we must be mindful of our plastic consumption and strive to reduce, reuse, and recycle whenever possible to mitigate the impact of plastic pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
It is cheaper and easier to make plastic from oil than from recycled plastic.
A kilo of plastic waste can yield up to a litre of fuel.
Fuels like gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and high-value ones like benzene, toluene and xylene.
The incineration of a kilo of plastic would produce 3 kilos of CO2, so turning plastic into fuel reduces CO2 emissions.
Waste plastic pyrolysis.
