OTHER USES OF POLYMER WASTE

By Claudia and Success!

POLYMERS AS A FUEL SOURCE• Burning polymers, under controlled conditions, produces heat energy which can be

harnessed to make electricity. • Agricultural plastics, such as poly(ethene), used to be used to cover crops in the growing

season. Now, these plastics are being turned into briquettes and burned to produce heat. a briquette is a block of compressed coal dust or peat used as fuel. This is now being used by companies e.g. South Korean companies, to now generate electricity. A benefit is that this is an alternative energy source but carbon dioxide is still being produced.

• A process that burns old rubber-based tyres is also now being used to generate electricity. A benefit to this is that unsightly car tyres tires from the environment.

FEEDSTOCK RECYLING

• Processes are being developed to convert polymers to synthesis gas(a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide). Hydrocarbons and synthesis gas can be used as a chemical feedstock for conversion into useful products or as fuel.

Biodegradable and compostable polymers

• A new generation of plastics known as bio-plastics are biodegradable and compostable. These plastics are derived from renewable raw materials such as starch, maze, cellulose and lactic acid. A benefit is that they are manufactured by non hazardous processes meaning that they are kinder to the environment. Also when they are thrown away, they naturally degrade to carbon dioxide and water.