The Problem: Plastic Waste
Where the problem started
In the late 1800s, the speed of human manufacturing became constrained by the limited amounts of metal, wood, bone, tusk, and horn. John Wesley Hyatt invented the first synthetic polymer in 1869 as a replacement for ivory with the growing popularity of billiards. WWII pushed the expansion of plastics with the need for synthetic substitutes to preserve natural resources and help expand the US military. After the war, plastic production challenged traditional markets as a cheaper and easier alternative for producing consumer goods. Replacing natural materials with plastic has made goods more affordable, lighter, safer, and stronger.
The main problem with plastic is that it can last forever. Not only is it an eyesore, but plastics contain chemicals such as BPA’s, which we now know leach into our food, water, and ultimately our bodies. Innovators are always searching for ways to make recycling better and more efficient. Still, the amount of plastic in our landfills and water is so large that a more immediate and long-term solution must be made.
Plastic Waste
It takes moments to create a plastic bottle, but it never truly decomposes, and only “breaks down” into smaller and smaller fragments.
Plastic waste congests landfills, clogs waterways and has formed an oceanic plastic island three times the size of France.*
By 2015, 8.3 billion tons of plastic had been generated, and 6.3 billion tons had become waste in landfills and waterways.**
If current trends continue, 12 billion tonnes of plastic waste will be in landfills and polluting waterways and oceans by 2050.**
A CLEARER PICTURE
- Despite society being focused on reducing current usage, the pace of plastic production shows no signs of slowing.
- Recycling is only addressing 9% of total production.*
- Incinerating or landfilling compounds the problem by releasing harmful toxins into the air and leaching into groundwater.
- Studies show that microplastics are showing up in our food chain (i.e., animal tissues, sea salt).
- Available landfill capacity is diminishing <25 years.*
- Legislation globally is trending towards bans on plastics in landfills, but only in developed countries.
- Global markets for recycled plastics are shrinking or shutting down due to oversupply and low demand.
Reality is – economics will always prevail.
Our Solution: Plastic to Fuel
Plastic waste now needs to be treated as a valuable resource. Through our advanced technology, we take what was once waste and convert it back into its original form: a valuable petrochemical by-product – a source of fuel for all Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) power-plants.
Our Solution: Plastic to Fuel
Plastic waste now needs to be treated as a valuable resource. Through our advanced technology, we take what was once waste and convert it back into its original form: a valuable petrochemical by-product – a source of fuel for all Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) power-plants.