Traditional diesel fuel is harmful to the environment as it releases toxic emissions into the atmosphere.<\/a><\/p>\n Likewise, plastic pollution poses a substantial threat to the environment.<\/p>\n Some plastic waste<\/a> doesn\u2019t biodegrade, meaning it can take up to 1,000 years to break down, polluting marine ecosystems<\/a>, damaging soil, and poisoning groundwater in the process.<\/p>\n Ames Lab\u2019s chemical conversion process has the potential to overcome these environmental threats, converting plastic waste into diesel fuel.<\/p>\n The innovative method could be instrumental in making two major environmental concerns greener.<\/p>\n Aaron Sadow, who led the development of the technology, commented: \u201cWe are converging on a crisis made worse by emissions impacting air quality and climate change that requires us to use our natural resources more efficiently, including the fossil resources used to make plastics and liquid fuels.<\/p>\n \u201cBut by looking holistically at energy and fuels, chemicals and materials, and their natural supply, we can design sustainable solutions for our plastic waste and energy problems.\u201d<\/p>\n Plastics are indispensable in various fields due to their diverse properties, enabling applications ranging from food storage to medical equipment.<\/p>\n Disposable plastic products, known as single-use plastics, favoured for their affordability and convenience, contribute significantly to environmental pollution.<\/p>\n Their persistence in landfills, coupled with inadequate waste management, results in prolonged degradation and leaching of harmful chemicals into the environment.<\/p>\n This contamination extends to water bodies and food sources, posing serious risks to both wildlife and human health.<\/p>\n Industries such as transportation, manufacturing, construction, and agriculture heavily depend on diesel for power, production, and global transportation.<\/p>\nThe growing plastic waste burden<\/h3>\n
Reliance on diesel<\/h3>\n