Panasonic Develops Plastic to Gas Recycling

One of the worst consequences of our electronic age is the dumping of electronic waste (e-waste) into landfills. Most of the televisions, computers and other equipment that is thrown in the garbage contains toxic chemicals and metals like lead and carcinogens. E-waste doesn't biodegrade and just sits for generations, slowly leaking out very harmful pollutants.

Panasonic has developed a system for reducing the harmful effects of e-waste. Plastic surrounding wires or components is converted into gas so recycling companies can extract the copper and metal for new devices. In the past, this plastic prevented access to metals, causing many parts to be discarded. Now, not only can we reuse these metals but we can also keep more plastics from entering landfills.

I don't understand how this is all possible, I'll paste Panasonic's technical explanation below. However, I do understand that the plastic becomes a non-toxic gas that contains no carbon dioxide and is safe. This sounds like a great step for the destruction of plastic waste and for the recycling of electronics.

The system may not me immediately available, but if you would like to recycle some of those old computers, monitors, TV's, and VCR's sitting around the house, find out how by going HERE.

"The new recycling method combines Kusatsu Electric's non-incineration plastic disposal technology using TiO2 and Panasonic's high grade materials recovery technology that is used by Panasonic to recycle old home appliances. The method uses unique mixing and carrier systems that allow plastics to contact the catalyst efficiently for gasification, leaving the valuable metals. As the catalytic reaction of TiO2 generates heat to promote gasification, an additional heating source is not required in the process. The method uses cooling water to maintain temperature (500°C) for optimal catalytic reaction. The subsequent heated water from the process can be used for other purposes. Hydrogen chloride produced during the gasification process of vinyl chloride is neutralized with lime."