Burning plastic is usually a bad thing, but what if it wasn't? What if we could heat plastic and break it down to make new plastic and give it new life? That is exactly what plastic pyrolysis aims to do. Plastic pyrolysis is the breakdown of plastic using heat in the absence of oxygen. It's a chemical recycling process that aims to breakdown plastic into pyrolysis oil that can be refined into new plastic meaning no more plastic in landfills. But can plastic pyrolysis really be the solution to our plastic waste problem?

Timestamps are below if you're in a rush! 👇

00:00 Burning plastic at home?
00:35 What is Plastic Pyrolysis?
01:40 Pyrolysis isn't new
02:13 Benefits of Plastic Pyrolysis
03:09 Products of Plastic Pyrolysis
04:10 Struggles of Plastic Pyrolysis
06:04 Blooper

Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only. While I make every effort to do as much research as possible, it doesn't mean I don't get things wrong from time to time. Always do your own research with anything on the internet. Additionally, anything I do or say in my videos are my own opinion and I do not speak for, nor am I endorsed by, any company, entity, or organization. Any video in collaboration with any company, entity, or organization will be expressly detailed.

Sources:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196890…

engineering.mit.edu/engage/ask-an-engineer/can-we-…

www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-wast….

cen.acs.org/environment/sustainability/Should-plas…

www.pbs.org/newshour/science/is-burning-trash-a-go…

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878029…

www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/blog/2019/4/29/s…

static1.squarespace.com/static/5d14dab43967cc00017…