100041
Using P.I.P. to strengthen roads: Plastic incinerated by plastic
South Africa
Plastic pollution is detrimental to life and our environment. Plastic waste can be utilised in industry to replace fossil fuels for burning more plastic. The research aims to demonstrate that the fuel produced when plastic is burned can burn more plastic waste. The research proved that plastic fuel can be substituted for fossil fuel sources. Fuel sources tested, to burn an equal mass of the same plastic, included coal, natural gas, and plastic fuel. The investigation also concluded that the temperature and time taken by plastic fuel to burn plastic correlates positively with that of coal and natural gas. It produced a similar amount of plastic fuel as these fuel sources. In addition to the system, the PLASTICATOR APP was designed, which allows for monitoring of quantities, suppliers and types of waste been incinerated. This is saved onto a database and can be used for analysis purposes as well. The results support the use of plastic waste to burn more plastic. It can alleviate the problem of utilising expensive fuels in these plants, creating a self- sustaining system, while simultaneously limiting plastic pollution. Additionally, asphalt is a petroleum-based liquid that is used to build roads. Solid plastic waste can be added to asphalt to tar the roads. The results of the investigation showed that the addition of the solid waste produced from burning plastic can increase the strength of asphalt. The gas emissions can be filtered before being released into the environment and can also be added to the solid plastic waste to ensure no emissions are released.