In a first: Prayagraj Mayor inaugurates plastic to diesel conversion plant

PRAYAGRAJ, March 6 (HS): After grappling with heaps of solid waste for years, Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) has come up with an indigenous plastic to diesel conversion plant. Plastic and industrial waste is converted into diesel at the plant. Yes, you have heard it right! In a first of its kind initiative, Mayor Abhilasha Gupta inaugurated Uttar Pradesh’s sole plastic to fuel plant on build and operate basis project at Baswar processing plant on Saturday.

“The plant will eliminate tonnes of plastic every day from the city, including non-valuable plastic of less than 50 micron thickness such as carry bags or packing material. Tonnes of waste is collected door to door by the municipal corporation per day. Of this, 35 per cent is dry waste, which will be available for conversion into diesel. Plastic waste is ground into powder, which is then funnelled into a 0.5 cubic metres capacity kiln. The powder is then converted into vapour after heating up to 500 degrees Celsius, later condensed and distilled involving plastic depolymerisation in a singular process. The advantage of doing this is that the entire process is not only energy efficient but also completely green. The process is zero effluent and zero emission as well. However, carbon black, which is collected separately, can be used in various industries such as paint and cement.” said Abhilasha Gupta during a free-wheeling chat with HS.

“The converted diesel cannot be used in vehicles but can be used as an alternative fuel for diesel generators and factory set up, she added. Instead of using furnace oil, factories can use this oil. One of the main advantages of this oil is that it is 25 per cent cheaper than furnace oil. Also, it’s very low in sulphur content and, hence, less polluting. The plant has a capacity to convert two tonne of plastic waste into 1200-1400 litres of diesel, which will sell at a cost of Rs 45-50 per litre,” the mayor added before signing off.