Plastic pollution has become an increasingly serious issue in India over the years. With an increasing dependency on plastic, the practice of discarding plastic in a careless manner has become commonplace. Several waste to wealth mechanisms have been implemented over the years to recycle and reuse plastic in novel ways. Converting plastic waste to fuel and making it available for both domestic and industrial purposes is one such pattern. Given India's massive daily production of over 15,000 tonnes of plastic, the potential for conversion to fuel is vast, assuming adequate infrastructure is available.
Plastic to fuel conversion has already been successfully applied in countries such as Japan, Germany, and the United States. These three have also been active in turning conversion processes into viable business models. Though India has a long way to go in terms of adopting plastic as a business model, progress is being made in the conversion of plastic to usable fuel.
Challenges of Plastic Recycling
- Waste Collections /Unauthorized Waste collectors
1. Non-segregated recycling contaminates clean waste
2. Geographic spread of waste generally requires a large number of workers for collection and transportation
3. Unorganized collection/rag picking, which puts one's health at risk
4. Disposal without discrimination, resulting in pollution of soil and field Water is a natural substance.
- Other Uses of Plastic Waste
1. Illegal burning of untreated plastics, resulting in toxic gas emissions and severe health consequences.
2. An unorganized and uncontrolled supply chain.
3. Illegal recyclers use dangerous technologies due to a lack of expertise.
- Appropriate Technology for conversion
1. The nation needs proven and developed technology.
2. Low economic size, resulting in non-viability.
3. Low volume of plastics and geographically dispersed.
- Stable End product Quality related
1. An inconsistency in the waste mix (Inputs)
2. The probability of end-product quality variability, leading to a loss of trust and non-acceptance by end users.
3. The dangers of reverse engineering
- Government Policies & Assistance
1. A lack of enforcement of other prohibited uses of plastic waste.
2. Making the informal collection process more formal.
3. There are no incentive programmes in place to encourage the recycling of plastics and the use of recycled fuel.
- Marketing & Market Competition
1. The customer's lack of faith in the product's reliable quality
2. The lack of proven evidence on its full proof end use
3. Cost-effectiveness in comparison to conventional fuel
4. Competing with other waste plastic uses
5. Diesel / Electricity Subsidies
- Human Psychology / Acceptance
1. Consumer rejection / non-acceptance as a waste product
2. Lack of confidence
3. Fears about equipment or engine damage if recycled diesel is used.
Objective for Recycling
- Resource recovery and recycling plants will help to ensure environmental sustainability.
- Demonstrate a regionally coordinated approach to recycling, recovery, and safe disposal principles.
- Serve as a role model for others to follow in terms of multiplication.
- Demonstrate recycling strategies and processes like plastic recycling to fuel plant setup and proper recycling setups.
- Serve as a platform for environmental education and public awareness.
- Recycling education
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