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New machine turns plastics into oil

kltv.com -- WHITEHORSE, YUKON (CBC NEWS/CNN) - Recycling advocates in the Canadian territory of the Yukon showed off the technology that makes plastic turn into oil.

The machine is owned by Yukon College and the first of its kind in North America. It cost about $200,000 with both the college and federal government kicking in money.

The machine comes from Japan and its inventor is in Whitehorse to oversee the installation. He says it bothered him that so much plastic was being thrown away. A local researcher first read about it more than a year ago. Then he pitched it to Cold Climate Innovation at Yukon College's research center.

"I just couldn't believe that such a thing could exist, taking waste plastic, turning it into oil, at such an economical rate," said Andy Lera, the project manager

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Submitted Sep 17, 2012 By: teafortwo

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bart_reed Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,979 Points:786,605 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 18, 2012 6:52:04 AM Ignore bart_reed Report Abuse Alchemy!
after10 Veteran Author Hamilton Posts:363 Points:47,985 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Sep 18, 2012 12:11:49 AM Ignore after10 Report Abuse Best $200.000 that ive seen spent in ages.Makeing fuel out of one of the worst type of garbage thats overwelming this planet.Perfect ! Every major plastic manufacture should be forced to use one.And only be allowed to produce the same amount of plastic that they are able to recycle in this way.Why is this story not all over the front pages of the news?Maybe because it can be purchased for under a GAZZILION dollars.Or maybe someone dosent like the idea that this fuel might be an small allternative to other over priced fuels
LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:5,609 Points:1,206,580 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 11:23:17 PM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse I agree Teafortwo....negative Nellies rarely bother to do any research! Thanks for posting such an interesting article!
teafortwo Champion Author Washington Posts:22,132 Points:1,387,015 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 7:30:25 PM Ignore teafortwo Report Abuse MAC48, Usually when a GByte wants to learn more about a topic they will do their own google search. For whatever reason, you decided to just leave a negative comment? Your loss, because the Yukon Research Centre at Yukon College is doing some very interesting and progressive things .... for those with inquiring minds ;0} FROM THE ARTICLE: ""I do believe it can pay for itself, but I also believe it takes care of a larger problem, which is the waste plastics, quite frankly, are getting thrown in the garbage. Now if we can close the loop on that, I think that's every recyclers' goal," said Pat McInroy, of P&M Recycling. The machine will be here for the next two years. Over that period it will be monitored and tests done on the crude oil. McInroy will use the oil to heat his plant. He says it should work in any furnace that has an inside tank. After the test period the project will be reviewed to see if a bigger machine is warranted." ANOTHER ARTICLE TODAY: Canadian University Testing Plastics-to-Fuel Machine
MAC48 Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,549 Points:767,755 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 6:32:30 PM Ignore MAC48 Report Abuse As usual this article presents absolutely no facts about whether this process is economically justifiable which means that the installation at the university in Whitehouse is probably a small scale "test and development" effort. Venture capitalist would be fighting tooth and nail to acquire the rights to this process if they thought it could be a good bet one would think.
skybiker Champion Author South Carolina Posts:7,303 Points:1,561,240 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 12:59:23 PM Ignore skybiker Report Abuse Good Plan!!
md11capt Champion Author Denver Posts:3,558 Points:711,480 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 12:37:30 PM Ignore md11capt Report Abuse 10 kilograms = About 22 pounds or a lot of milk bottles. 10 liters = 2.6 gals or about $12.
sydb7 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,561 Points:1,920,735 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 11:20:47 AM Ignore sydb7 Report Abuse This makes sense, after all the plastic CAME from oil!!
shstew Veteran Author British Columbia Posts:286 Points:314,270 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 11:01:41 AM Ignore shstew Report Abuse Good news
mustangdaver Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,591 Points:758,875 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 10:51:58 AM Ignore mustangdaver Report Abuse This is not new. It was developed years ago.
Nicoalbum Champion Author Ottawa Posts:6,027 Points:1,190,000 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 10:45:07 AM Ignore Nicoalbum Report Abuse Now we need less corn
Darwin00 All-Star Author Mississippi Posts:830 Points:271,905 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 10:40:51 AM Ignore Darwin00 Report Abuse I hope it isn't too good to be true.
BigKart All-Star Author Indianapolis Posts:771 Points:226,875 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 10:40:37 AM Ignore BigKart Report Abuse No info in the article about the economics of conversion. Where do they get the stuff they add to it? Is the latter just wind and solar? I think not!
ModelWarships Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,805 Points:1,234,035 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 10:17:33 AM Ignore ModelWarships Report Abuse sounds like another government grant in the works.
bkplenge Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:1,620 Points:122,140 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 10:15:11 AM Ignore bkplenge Report Abuse Sounds like a great way to recycle.
eschroth442 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,084 Points:334,470 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 10:14:01 AM Ignore eschroth442 Report Abuse this is grewat, we have way too much plastic garbage. Let's turn it back to oil
Palantas All-Star Author Indianapolis Posts:803 Points:414,595 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 10:00:21 AM Ignore Palantas Report Abuse Awesome.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,064 Points:2,347,460 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:50:50 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse There is so much plastic in landfills, IF the machine can do it cheaply and economically there could be an oil landfill mine. Reverse the process of making plastic and go back to the source. The machine comes from Japan and its inventor is in Whitehorse to over see the installation. Whitehorse is Not that big, much larger cities can use this process instead! Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
derek84us All-Star Author Rochester Posts:726 Points:40,300 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:50:42 AM Ignore derek84us Report Abuse now if they could only turn oil into affordable gas
BillHeatherL Champion Author Alberta Posts:7,648 Points:1,925,605 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:44:08 AM Ignore BillHeatherL Report Abuse good for Yukon College
Cellsite Champion Author Appleton Posts:1,236 Points:288,110 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:43:44 AM Ignore Cellsite Report Abuse May work, if and only if the cost of energy used in the process costs less than the price received from the finished product. That's not mentioned in the article.
Chinto12 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,031 Points:411,360 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:43:12 AM Ignore Chinto12 Report Abuse That is useful recycling.
rjoeh Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,086 Points:2,471,790 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:42:14 AM Ignore rjoeh Report Abuse No surprise... oil is a base material for plastic. The bigger surprise to me is the comment that its the first in North America. Apparently the inventor has not pitched it much to this part of the world yet.
ZEROMETER Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,408 Points:297,600 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:41:54 AM Ignore ZEROMETER Report Abuse good
SnickersDog Champion Author Denver Posts:3,293 Points:682,935 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:38:44 AM Ignore SnickersDog Report Abuse Nice
GetMaxCashBack Veteran Author Trenton Posts:386 Points:164,925 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:38:31 AM Ignore GetMaxCashBack Report Abuse Makes sense to process non-recyclable plastic. Remove excess waste from landfills and reduce reliance on foreign oil.
zaq001 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,985 Points:1,474,175 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:35:25 AM Ignore zaq001 Report Abuse cool. Reverse the process.
rasprout Champion Author Tacoma Posts:3,367 Points:1,222,535 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:34:59 AM Ignore rasprout Report Abuse Nice... Enough plastic to quench our thirst for a long time, and then keep landfills empty...
Red7002011 Champion Author Mississippi Posts:3,337 Points:669,695 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:33:48 AM Ignore Red7002011 Report Abuse Really!
CorvairHaven Champion Author Cleveland Posts:4,359 Points:1,454,915 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:33:13 AM Ignore CorvairHaven Report Abuse Full circle.
DABEE1073 Champion Author San Diego Posts:8,210 Points:1,574,060 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:33:03 AM Ignore DABEE1073 Report Abuse GREAT IDEA. MAKE IT SO.
mysub Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:8,921 Points:2,332,415 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:32:52 AM Ignore mysub Report Abuse Sounds like a good idea if it works.
GGAlbo Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,248 Points:1,886,300 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:31:03 AM Ignore GGAlbo Report Abuse Plastic is made from Oil!
Moran152 Rookie Author Columbus Posts:67 Points:72,780 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:30:42 AM Ignore Moran152 Report Abuse Use oil to make plastic ~~~> use plastic to make oil ~~~~> refine oil to make gasoline ~~~~> use gasoline to power your vehicle. ~~~~> = energy loses Seems something like ethanol, use a lot of energy to get a little.
Hangnail309 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:6,029 Points:1,678,155 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:30:24 AM Ignore Hangnail309 Report Abuse talk about reverse engineering ...
DerTaubman Champion Author Detroit Posts:7,323 Points:1,531,670 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:30:19 AM Ignore DerTaubman Report Abuse Now someone will have to pick up all those plastic bottles.
KarateDude Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,490 Points:838,220 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:29:38 AM Ignore KarateDude Report Abuse Go back to glass...
jd2009 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:4,269 Points:1,312,680 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:28:52 AM Ignore jd2009 Report Abuse It's a good thing
vizilo Champion Author British Columbia Posts:5,729 Points:2,590,650 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:28:34 AM Ignore vizilo Report Abuse good idea
LVNV6ofSpades Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:1,624 Points:362,260 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:27:51 AM Ignore LVNV6ofSpades Report Abuse If it works & its safe, good for them. Probably be using it alot when that island of tsunami trash & plastics wash ashore up there.
Bus936 Champion Author Lexington Posts:16,454 Points:3,221,955 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:27:40 AM Ignore Bus936 Report Abuse Milk jugs alone could supply me with enough oil and gas.
mitchells Champion Author Montreal Posts:3,866 Points:1,126,085 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:26:57 AM Ignore mitchells Report Abuse If we already recycle plastics back into more plastics (just like other metals), then why do we need a machine to recycle plastics all the way back tot he original oil base?
pmc3 Champion Author Missouri Posts:3,599 Points:1,024,190 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:26:50 AM Ignore pmc3 Report Abuse Well...since plastics are made out of oil, then why wouldn't it be possible to change it BACK???
gasman50 Champion Author Portland Posts:8,851 Points:2,411,375 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:26:48 AM Ignore gasman50 Report Abuse Hope it works well for them
NukeAtComEd All-Star Author Milwaukee Posts:725 Points:338,520 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:26:27 AM Ignore NukeAtComEd Report Abuse it won't be allowed in the US because BarryO and the rest of the eco-nuts have declared war on any fossil fuels.
FJCruiserCA All-Star Author California Posts:517 Points:325,800 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:26:25 AM Ignore FJCruiserCA Report Abuse ok
putz247 Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,281 Points:514,280 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:26:18 AM Ignore putz247 Report Abuse wow
must87searcher Champion Author Maryland Posts:8,990 Points:1,781,610 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:26:08 AM Ignore must87searcher Report Abuse This is an interesting idea. There is still a ways too go for testing if it were too be successful.
olebufnav Champion Author Omaha Posts:3,983 Points:1,024,205 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:26:03 AM Ignore olebufnav Report Abuse And I have this thing-a-ma-bob to attach to your fuel line to give you 200 mpg....
goalie1950 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:6,415 Points:1,297,395 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Sep 17, 2012 9:25:52 AM Ignore goalie1950 Report Abuse Kind of makes sense when you realize that certain plastics have oil as a component material. This machine looks like it reverses that process.