New ways to turn plastic into energy could solve UK's waste problem 

China’s decision to ban plastic waste import has sparked concern amongst environmentalists.

 

The National Packaging Waste Database (NPWD) reported that 39% of the 684,695 tonnes of plastic packaging exported in 2016 was sent to China.

 

The ban, which came into effect in January, could increase the risk of pollution as the UK is left with mounting levels of waste plastics.

 

REWS UK (Renewable Energy Waste Solutions) based Holborn, London, use pyrolysis – the decomposition of materials using heat- in order to recycle plastics and other waste materials whilst also generating energy. Such a process could resolve the UK’s inevitable waste build up and reduce the build up of plastic waste in UK landfill.

 

Elizabeth Frumson, from REWS Investor relations, explained: “Simply burying or burning waste plastic can have disastrous environmental effects on surroundings.”

 

“REWS has created a cutting-edge technology known as pyrolysis which is capable of producing energy by using heat. Together with the circular economy which REWS takes advantage of, we are able to recycle and regenerate fuels in an environmentally friendly manner.”

 

According to the Environmental Health News, Plastic debris left in landfill sites can leak harmful chemicals that can spread into groundwater. Chemicals added to plastics have been linked to harmful effects to the human body and changes to hormones.

 

Calls for the Government to take action against mounting levels of waste have come from environmental supporters as Mary Creagh, the chairwoman of the Commons Environmental Audit Committee argued:

 

“The Government has talked the talk on plastics pollution, but it has been too slow to walk the walk.”

 

First Mile Recycling, in Islington, turns their waste recycling into clean energy which powers over 100,000 homes across the UK.

 

James Cochrane, Frist Mile business development executive, believes this method could also be both a popular and environmentally friendly solution to the UK’s piling plastic problem:

 

“We are a carbon-neutral accredited firm, which means we’re leading the way in this regard. As a company, we make sure that none of the waste we take goes to Landfill. We turn it into energy.”

 

“Businesses in London want to increase their recycling rates and on average, 40 new businesses sign up with our recycling services a day.”