How plastic waste is being converted into fuel in Mexico
A Mexican startup is turning plastic waste into fuel as part of efforts to reduce pollution.
Petgas, a company based in the coastal city of Boca del Río, has developed a machine that converts plastic into gasoline, diesel, and other fuels.
Using a process called pyrolysis, the machine heats plastic in a low-oxygen environment, breaking it down into usable energy.
Carlos Parraguirre Díaz, the company’s chief technology officer, said the machine can process 1.5 tons of plastic each week, producing about 1,350 liters of fuel.
"Instead of letting plastic pile up in landfills or end up in the ocean, we can turn it into something valuable," he told the Associated Press.
Plastic pollution is a growing crisis worldwide. The United Nations estimates that global plastic production could rise by 70% by 2040 if no action is taken.
Every day, around 2,000 truckloads of plastic waste are dumped into the world’s oceans, rivers, and lakes.
Petgas envisions a system where plastic is not treated as waste but as a resource. The company runs plastic collection drives and encourages people to drop off waste at designated points. It also receives pre-sorted plastic from recyclers.
The process does have environmental impacts. While it initially requires propane to start, the machine later powers itself using gases produced during pyrolysis.
The fuel it generates does release carbon dioxide, but the company says its emissions are lower than traditional fossil fuels because of reduced sulfur content.
For now, Petgas donates the fuel it produces to local fire departments and food delivery services but the company hopes to scale up its operations to make a bigger impact.
