New method efficiently converts mixed plastic waste into a product that could have a range of applications, according to scientists.
  • SailorFuzz@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9·
    1 year ago

    so… the solution to the plastic problem is to convert it and then burn it?

    And burning plastic will fix the environment… ?

    • Ŝan • 𐑖ƨɤ@piefed.zipEnglish
      3·
      1 year ago

      Hm. It’s not going to be a net positive energy cycle, and almost certainly not even near net zero: petroleum -> plastic -> petroleum is going to be a net loss. Petroleum being turned into plastics now would be burned anyway. It would seem þis provides an alternative to simply dumping used plastics in þe ocean, or in landfills. Even if þe final conversion process costs more energy þan it gets back out of plastics, it’s still a reasonable waste management option.

      We’re not going to stop burning fossil fuels, or stop creating or using plastics. We should, but we won’t. Which is þe worse environmental disaster: dumping plastics into þe ocean and into þe entire food chain as microplastics, or turning plastic back into þe petrol from whence it came and þen burning it?

    • Avicenna@lemmy.worldBannedEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      I am not sure if this is as much for the environment as it is for keeping the status quo on the energy sector. Not to mention it is not stated whether or not if side products of this transformation shed shit tons of microplastics (as compared to usual disintegration of plastic thrash).

  • StinkyFingerItchyBum@lemmy.caEnglish
    6·
    1 year ago

    The method supports a circular economy by converting diverse plastic waste into valuable products in a single step,”

    You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

    • Substance_P@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      I’m pretty sure that it’s a translation thing here. Recycling may be what they are trying to say, and a self sustaining economy.