While many people like to think that recycling is the antidote to our plastic problems, the reality is that most plastic waste doesn’t get recycled. On top of that, plastics that are recycled can only be recycled a couple times before the material is rendered useless and becomes waste. Alternatives to plastic are obviously needed, but new solutions for turning plastic waste into something useful are also needed before we transition to a post-plastic world. One solution is to turn plastics into clean fuels—something that a group of scientists at Purdue University are working on. The scientists are focusing on a type of plastic called polyolefin, the most common type of thermoplastic that features in everything from bottle caps to scientific instruments. Thus far they have demonstrated that their conversion technology can successfully turn plastic waste into fuels and other valuable products. The scientists believe that once their technology is scaled up on a more industrial level, it could potentially boost the profits of the recycling industry while shrinking the world’s plastic waste stock.
These scientists are turning a common type of plastic waste into clean fuels
More of Today's Solutions
Sardinian restaurants are banning phones for families at meals
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The Italian federation of pediatricians designed a box of games to help parents ask their kids how their ...
Read MoreCalifornia legalizes balcony solar for renters and beyond
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM California just gave apartment renters a shot at solar. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill legalizing plug-in solar ...
Read MoreWhy you should fill your cart with ugly watermelons
When it comes to picking produce at our local market or grocery store, many of us are… well… shallow. We tend to fill our ...
Read More10 confidence-boosting tips for navigating the world of dating apps
Navigating the world of dating apps can be both exciting and intimidating as you condense your entire personality and aspirations into a few brief ...
Read More
