Green Breakthrough Addresses Plastic, Oil Concerns
Thursday, Sep 17, 2009 | Updated 4:45 PM EST
AP
Residents can recycle glass, paper, plastic (# 1-7) at the City of Dallas' Super Recycling event.
DERWOOD, Md. -- Montgomery County unveiled a breakthrough in green technology that targets plastic waste and oil at once.
County Executive Isiah Leggett and officials from Envion Inc. announced a pilot program to turn petroleum-based plastic into oil.
"Montgomery County's proud to provide the first site where this innovative technology will be seen here in the United States," Leggett said. "This type of public-private partnership is essential in advancing groundbreaking technologies that can assist the United States in overcoming environmental and economic challenges."
The Envion Oil Generator at the Montgomery County Solid Waste Transfer Station in Derwood will recycle plastic waste into gasoline, kerosene, and jet and diesel fuels. Envion predicts the generator will convert 10,000 tons of plastic waste into 50,000 barrels of oil annually, the Washington Business Journal reported.
The eco-friendly machine is cost effective, too. According to Envion, the generator will create one barrel of synthetic light medium oil for less than $10. And it saves landfill space, the Business Journal reported. The conversion cost is estimated at about $17 per ton, which would cost $70 to $200 to dispose of in a landfill.
Posted Thursday, Sep 17, 2009 - 4:40 PM EST
