3 ms·
That's a question I always had: is burning plastics bad? I mean, if we had a clean burning, no toxins and toxic ashes...? If this is true, then at least we are
by soco 3y ago
That's a question I always had: is burning plastics bad? I mean, if we had a clean burning, no toxins and toxic ashes...? If this is true, then at least we are not damaging the environment with it (the overconsumption issue aside)
- varjag 3y agoMost plastics are pure carbon and hydrogen so burn cleanly at high enough temperature in the furnace. Naturally CO2 emissions still an issue.
- RetroTechie 3y agoThis is why I have developed an aversion towards any plastics containing halogens: chlorinated like PVC, materials with brominated flame retardants, or worse: fluorinated compounds like PFAS. Burn those, and a whole slew of nasties is produced. Common plastics like PE, PP & such at least in theory can burn cleanly. If so: make 'm bio-based, maybe a few downcycling steps, followed by burning, maybe isn't too bad overall. I have a bigger problem with discarded plastic (and related: microplastics) getting everywhere in our environment. That's an overlapping but different problem. Plastics have their uses & advantages, but we really should be more critical about where they're needed & where not.