Dirty old waste turned into eco fuel

BRITISH scientists have discovered how to turn unrecyclable plastic into fuel in a world first that could help clean up our oceans.

Experts at University of Chester have taken unwashed and normally unreusable plastic and converted it into green, low-carbon energy.

The patented technology could soon power not just its own 54-acre plant in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, but 7,000 UK houses and hydrogenfuelled cars.

The university’s Professor Joe Howe says a by-product of the technology is “electricity – meaning waste plastic can not only fuel cars but can keep the lights on at home”.

The technology and its potential for powering the world’s cities will make waste products valuable and “can help clean up our oceans of waste plastic now,” he says.

Other similar methods that produce oil require the plastic to be pre-sorted and cleaned.

However, this is the first time that experts have found a method that uses all types of dirty plastic and leaves no residue behind.