Oil from waste

A waste recycling plant in Bottrop, Germany, has developed a technology to convert assorted plastic wastes into oil.

The synthetic waste -- plastic bags, yoghurt cartons and computer casings -- is mixed with heavier oil residues and water added to it. This results in the breaking up of chemical compounds to produce synthetic oil which is piped to a refinery next door to yield high-quality oil-based products.

German chemical manufacturer, BASF, has also built a similar plant in Ludwigshafen, where instead of adding water, the waste is heated. "One kg of waste yields 900 gm of reusable raw materials," the company claims.