New Tools to Evaluate Plastics-To-Fuel Potential for Communities

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) and Ocean Recovery Alliance has introduced two new tools aimed at helping communities around the globe evaluate their potential to adopt plastics-to-fuel technologies. Some believe that repurposing non-recycled plastics to create valuable fuels and manufacturing feedstocks could potentially help reduce ocean litter and deliver economic and environmental benefits to local communities.

The “2015 Plastics-to-Fuel Developers Guide” and “Cost Estimating Tool for Prospective Project Developers” were designed to help potential investors, developers and community leaders determine whether this growing technologies could be a good fit for meeting local waste management needs and local demand for the relevant commodities.

Also known as “pyrolysis,” today’s plastics-to-fuel technologies are versatile and can be designed to match local conditions. Depending on the specific technology chosen, they can manufacture a variety of products, including synthetic crude or refined fuels for home heating; ingredients for diesel, gasoline and kerosene; or fuel for combined heat and power for industrial uses.

“We are excited to introduce these new tools,” said Doug Woodring, director and co-founder of Ocean Recovery Alliance. “Sustainable materials management is largely a local issue, but one with important global implications. Our goal is to give communities and government leaders the tools they need to make good decisions that meet local needs. These new technologies can help mitigate the flow of plastic resources into our communities, waters and the ocean.”