NAST scientists looking to extract fuel from plastic

A pilot project to commence within two months

KATHMANDU, Nov 23 : Although we use polythene and plastic products every day, it is well known that they are harmful to our environment if not used wisely.
Scientists at Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) claim to be working to solve the country's current energy crisis through the use of plastic waste.
For more than a year now, a group of bio-energy scientists had been engaged in producing fuel from plastic products at NAST in Khumaltar. The scientists describe the project as an effort to produce a viable solution to manage and make proper use of overgrowing plastic wastes in and out the Valley.

According to Rabindra Prasad Dhakal, a senior scientist and in-charge of Bio-energy Laboratory at NAST, they are ready to demonstrate how plastics can be used to produce fuel.
“Countries like Japan have been producing fuel from plastic bags and waste for years. A demonstration and a small pilot project for producing fuel will be launched in the next two months,” said Dhakal.
A group of scientists under the leadership of Dhakal had been working on this project for almost a year now. The idea of not only recycling but also producing fuel from waste plastic had attracted government interest during the tenure of former chief secretary Lila Mani Poudyal. A budget of Rs 10 million was allocated for the project while Poudyal was still holding the post of top government secretary.
“The Plastic Pyrolysis Plant for burning plastics for fuel production process is on the way. Once it is here, a demonstration of fuel production will be held,” said Dhakal.
Polythene bags and its products are made from byproducts generated during the process of developing petroleum products.
Likewise, plastics can be burnt in the plant to extract petroleum contents from them. Plastics can be used to produce all types of petroleum products from petrol, kerosene and diesel.
“If this plan works, plastic bags and product left to rot on the bank of Bagmati River and other areas can be used for this purpose. A kilogram of pure plastic product can be used to extract nearly 900 milliliters of fuel,” said Dhakal.
According to Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), over 500 tons of garbage is collected from Kathmandu city every day. It has been estimated that 10 percent of the collected garbage is plastic bags and polythene products. However, Rabindra Man Singh, chief of Environment Division at KMC, is least hopeful about the whole project of fuel production from plastic wastes in Nepal.
“Cost factor matters the most. Even if the production is possible, we are yet to see whether the whole process is cost-effective. It better to start with small pilot projects and increase the production there are better results,” said Shrestha.