In summary
Plastic waste is a major problem, affecting developing countries in particular, while plastic represents a valuable resource, that could be harvested with a simple process called pyrolysis by local people.
With this project, we want to develop* a small-scale device that allows local communities to recycle plastic. Instead of spending money for imported fuel, people can generate their own fuel and support the local economy — while protecting the environment and wildlife at the same time!
The benefits are among others:
- Plastic pollution will be reduced
- Protecting the environment and wildlife
- Protecting livelihoods like fishing, tourism, etc
- Reduction of microplastics and therefore health
- Replaces petrol fuels, thus less oil needs to be extracted
- Reducing the risk of environmental desasters
- Reduces CO2 footprint (extraction and refining of oil is very energy intensive!)
- Clean alternative to burning the plastic for cooking or on the roadside – keeping the air cleaner
- Money remains in local economy instead of going abroad
- Pyrolysis is easy to do
- Products can be stored and used when required
So what’s the plan?
The first step for us is to develop a small household device, that allows anyone to recycle their own plastic waste and produce diesel or petrol fuels. These can be safely used for cooking, automobiles, electricity generation, etc. The goal is to design a stand-alone system that functions without an external energy source, partially using the produced fuel for heating. This could provide a way to deal with the accumulating plastic waste in particular for people in remote areas without access to electricity or on islands, where it is hard to dispose of the waste.
Next up: Find out what the progress is on our small-scale experimental build »
(Foot-)Notes
* or spur the development of