In Boca del Rio, Mexico, an innovative startup is seeking to address the issue of plastic waste by converting it into fuels like gasoline and diesel. With the global recycling rate for plastics hanging below 10%, Petgas aims to redirect discarded plastic away from waste disposal and back into functional use as energy resources.
Petgas has engineered a machine in this coastal city that utilizes a method called pyrolysis, which involves heating plastic materials in an oxygen-free environment. This process breaks down the plastics to yield products such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, paraffin, and coke.
Carlos Parraguirre Díaz, the chief technology officer at Petgas, explained that the machine has the capability of processing 1.5 tons of plastic weekly, thereby generating around 356 gallons (approximately 1,350 liters) of fuel. Initially, propane is used to kickstart the heating process. However, once pyrolysis is in progress, the machine harnesses the gas produced to maintain the heating process. While the fuel generated does emit carbon dioxide, Parraguirre Díaz notes that its overall environmental impact is lower than traditional fuels because the output has reduced sulfur content.
Parraguirre Díaz emphasized that this invention demonstrates the potential to convert plastic into valuable products. He likened their efforts to discovering hydrocarbons in the earth, presenting a productive alternative to landfills for communities.
According to the United Nations, global plastic production, which currently exceeds 400 million tons each year, could potentially rise by 70% by 2040 if no decisive policy measures are enacted. In 2023, China continued to dominate as the largest exporter of plastic goods, followed by Germany and the United States.
Each day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks’ worth of plastic waste ends up in oceans, rivers, and lakes, largely attributed to packaging products. Recent negotiations aimed at establishing a legally binding treaty to combat plastic pollution concluded in Busan, South Korea, without an agreement. This was intended to be the fifth and final round to create a treaty set to be finalized by the end of 2024.
Petgas is aspiring to foster a circular economy where plastic is treated as a resource rather than waste. To support this vision, the company has initiated local plastic collection efforts aimed at cleaning up the city’s beaches, encouraging residents to bring their plastic waste to designated drop-off points. Most of the plastic collected is sourced clean and shredded from recyclers.
Alexa Mendoza, a marine biologist with expertise in plastic pollution, commented on Petgas’s initiative, acknowledging it as a positive step but cautioned that it may only serve as a “band-aid” solution to a larger global issue. She emphasized the importance of collaborating with scientists to refine such efforts to ensure they do not inadvertently create more environmental damage.
Currently, Petgas contributes the fuel it produces to support local fire departments and food delivery services, reflecting their commitment to the community’s needs. As Parraguirre Díaz articulated, the goal is to scale up production to achieve a significant impact on the environment.
