Dear Editor,
I write in reference to the article ‘Plastic-less living’ in the February issue of en.
Simon Marsh states: ‘We haven’t worked out how to get rid if it when we don’t need it any more.’
Incorrect. Thermal decomposition will break up the large polymolecules into smaller molecules which can then be reused as fuel, or as raw feedstock to make new compounds. It is just easier to burn them (as here in Gloucester, which produces carbon dioxide) or bury them (landfill). Mind you, when the oil/gas runs dry, maybe landfill will become the new source of our much needed hydrocarbons! Google ‘plastic2oil’.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Pibworth (retired chemistry teacher) By email
