scrAPES Week 6
Topic: Oxygen-Free Recycling Technique Could Keep Tons of Plastics from Landfills
By: Rebecca Trager and ChemistryWorld
Date: October 15, 2014
Summary
Plastic litter is no doubt one of the worst forms of pollution on Earth, since plastic takes years to degrade in nature. A fix, however, has been discovered in a process called pyrolysis, which converts unrecyclable plastic into usable diesel gas and oil without the use of oxygen. Although this is a relatively new discovery, pyrolysis activities have since doubled ever since pyrolysis plants were introduced in Ireland in 2008. Considered a great success, pyrolysis plants are now in high demand, and the U.S is working with companies such as RES Polyflow and Cynar to open new plants on US soil, and to lessen the environmental effect on plastic pollution.
Reflection
With no other alternative but recycling, the US is in desperate need of a way to process plastic without harming the environment. Pyrolysis plants have been deemed successful in the countries that use its service, so I believe that the US should definitely focus on plastic recycling by using pyrolysis to both keep the environment healthy, and to possibly keep gas prices lower. The article, however, did not focus on the maintenance costs of the process, and whether it will be profitable and beneficial for both the environment and the economy.Either way, new processes such as pyrolysis should be a focus for the government if it aims to fix littering and pollution.
By: Rebecca Trager and ChemistryWorld
Date: October 15, 2014
Summary
Plastic litter is no doubt one of the worst forms of pollution on Earth, since plastic takes years to degrade in nature. A fix, however, has been discovered in a process called pyrolysis, which converts unrecyclable plastic into usable diesel gas and oil without the use of oxygen. Although this is a relatively new discovery, pyrolysis activities have since doubled ever since pyrolysis plants were introduced in Ireland in 2008. Considered a great success, pyrolysis plants are now in high demand, and the U.S is working with companies such as RES Polyflow and Cynar to open new plants on US soil, and to lessen the environmental effect on plastic pollution.
Reflection
With no other alternative but recycling, the US is in desperate need of a way to process plastic without harming the environment. Pyrolysis plants have been deemed successful in the countries that use its service, so I believe that the US should definitely focus on plastic recycling by using pyrolysis to both keep the environment healthy, and to possibly keep gas prices lower. The article, however, did not focus on the maintenance costs of the process, and whether it will be profitable and beneficial for both the environment and the economy.Either way, new processes such as pyrolysis should be a focus for the government if it aims to fix littering and pollution.