Plastic waste -> Oil?

Yearly, over 260 million tons of plastic is produced with a high amount being discarded into nature. Scientists have concluded that millions of metric tons of plastic pollute the world's oceans alone. This creates a strain on aquatic ecosystems and their inhabitants. In the United States, only 4% (2 million tons) of plastic waste gets recycled per year. While there are multiple efforts being made to counter the negative effects this pollution is having on the environment, there is one method that is particularly interesting. This involves transforming plastic waste back into its original form ie. oil.

Blast Machine

This method involves a device called the Blast Machine. It uses a process called pyrolysis (thermo-chemical decomposition) to convert the plastic waste into oil. Transforming this plastic into oil gives us an opportunity to tap into a new fuel source. While the general concept of a Blast Machine has been around for a long time now, it has not been utilized to its fullest potential. Akinori Ito the man who invented the Blast Machine has even said that the device has little to no harmful byproducts like CO2 and methane emissions and can convert 1 KG of plastic waste into 1 L of oil.

Procedure and pros

This process is relatively simple and the procedure takes only 3 to 4 steps.

1. The plastic waste is placed in a large bucket inside the machine where it is heated and ultimately turns into a gas

2. This gas is then passed through a tube to enter a container filled with water.

3. It is cooled and then forms the oil.

4. The end product can either be burned in this form or transformed into traditional fuels like gasoline, diesel or kerosene.

This device boasts a compact and portable size which creates flexibility when it comes to where it can be used. It can be installed in someone's house and is also easy to travel with.

Conclusion

There are a few unanswered questions when it comes to the extent of the device's reduced CO2 emissions and other chemical byproducts. However, it is undeniable that the Blast Machine is more eco-friendly than any other contraptions that are being used right now. Experts believe that this machine can positively impact the environment (especially the aquatic ecosystems) if mass produced and distributed on a wide spread level.