Researchers from UCLA and Ewha Womans University have developed a chemical process that converts mixed plastic waste into hydrogen fuel while capturing carbon. The method uses an adapted alkaline thermal treatment that works on PET, PE, and PP together, avoiding the need for sorting. It operates at temperatures 300-400°C lower than traditional gasification and converts over 75% of the plastic's carbon into stable carbonates, preventing CO2 emissions. This could make plastic waste a viable feedstock for clean hydrogen production and help address both waste management and decarbonization. However, questions remain about scalability, energy input, and cost. If it can be deployed at commercial scale, it might offer a way to turn a pollution problem into a clean fuel source.
