Unrecyclable plastic could be used to produce fuel, says ADAS

“The early indications are it would deal with a huge range of plastics, like polypropylene, although it would be dependent on the levels of contamination and residual materials,” he added.

Williams said the idea would be for lorries to “deliver plastic to the site and fill up with the diesel”, but was adamant the aim was not to generate plastics just for this purpose.

“We’re not talking about recyclable plastic but that which is difficult to recycle or of the wrong type for collection,” he said. “Our studies have shown that Britain uses 160 tonnes of agricultural plastic a year, and only for a single use because it’s contaminated.”

Williams said an energy-from-waste process called pyrolysis was used break down the plastic for other uses by heating it, and said it could improve to become the accepted way to treat the material.

He added the diesel produced was of a high standard. “This isn’t just an academic theory; plants already exist in other parts of the world,” he said.

ADAS provides consultancy and contracting services to public and private organisations in a range of sectors including food and drink, transport and agriculture.

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