Can waste plastic be turned into energy?

Yes, waste plastic can be turned into energy, as it is a hydrocarbon-based material—meaning it contains stored chemical energy that can be turned into usable forms like heat, electricity, or liquid fuels. The following are the most common and practical waste plastic to energy conversation methods: gasification, incineration, and pyrolysis, with key details for easier understanding:

1.Gasification

Gasification uses high temperatures (800–1,200°C) and a controlled amount of oxygen or steam to convert waste plastic into a synthetic gas ("syngas")—a mixture of hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH₄), and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Syngas can be burned directly to generate heat or electricity (e.g., in gas turbines or internal combustion engines) or further processed into chemicals (e.g., methanol) or hydrogen for fuel cells.

Plastic waste to energy conversation methods: gasification

Limitations:

1.Low product value:

Syngas has a low calorific value of approximately 10-15 MJ/Nm³, and low power generation efficiency, typically 20-25%;

2. High process complexity, with stringent requirements for operation and raw materials:

Waste plastics must be pulverized to 5-10 mm, with a moisture content below 15% (otherwise, this will lower the reactor temperature and lead to incomplete gasification); chlorine (such as PVC) in the mixed waste will corrode equipment and contaminate the syngas;

3.High environmental governance costs.

If used to produce methanol/hydrogen, expensive gas purification systems (to remove CO₂, tar, and sulfur) are required.

2.Incineration

Incineration is a well-established method where waste plastic is burned in a controlled, high-temperature furnace (with oxygen) to produce heat. This heat is used to boil water, create steam, and drive turbines that generate electricity or district heating (for homes/offices).

Plastic waste to energy conversation methods: incineration

Limitations:

1.High pollutant emissions and significant environmental pressure:

Incineration is the most polluting of the three technologies, producing a variety of toxic and hazardous substances: dioxins, NOx, and SOx.

2.Complete resource consumption and impracticality Recycling:

Incineration only partially recovers heat energy, but the high-value components in the waste are completely oxidized to CO₂ and ash, making them unable to be turned into recyclable energy or materials, resulting in a waste of resources.

3.Pyrolysis

Pyrolysis is a thermal decomposition process that breaks down waste plastic into smaller molecules without oxygen (anaerobic conditions) at high temperatures (300–600°C). Through pyrolysis technology, waste plastic can be turned into energy like fuel oil, diesel, syngas, etc.

DOING plastic pyrolysis equipment can effectively recycle a variety of waste plastics, such as PP, PE, PS, and ABS, including those that are difficult to recycle mechanically, such as mixed plastics, contaminated plastics, or single-use items like bags, bottles, and packaging.

Compared to gasification and incineration, pyrolysis is the most cost-effective method for turning waste plastics into renewable energy. Pyrolysis products are higher value, pollutant emissions are extremely low, and it is suitable for a wide range of wastes and has strong process adaptability. DOING offers small-scale batch plastic pyrolysis equipment with a processing capacity of 0.1-20 tons, allowing direct input of plastics in their original state without pretreatment, as well as medium- and large-scale continuous plastic pyrolysis equipment with a processing capacity of 5-50 tons for plastics under 30 mm that require pretreatment. DOING environmental protection equipment ensures that exhaust emissions meet emission standards.

Plastic waste to energy conversation methods: pyrolysis

We have more than 14 years of experience in producing plastic pyrolysis equipment and waste oil distillation plant, enabling the efficient conversion of waste plastics into renewable energy. If you are facing the problem of plastic waste management, please feel free to contact with us, then we will be glad to provide our best solution for you.