2019-068 Plastics to Fuel Conversion TechnologyDate: April 12, 2019 Report No. 2019-068
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Summary of plastic to fuel conversion technologies
BACKGROUND & DISCUSSION:
During the concluding items portion of the March 26, 2019 City Council meeting,
Councilmember Meltzer requested a staff report on whether plastic to fuel conversion technology
is currently available.
Because plastics are typically created using natural gas or oil, there is potential for plastic waste
to be converted and reused as a liquid fuel source. There are several academic studies underway
in the United States and abroad that are exploring the viability of converting plastic waste to
diesel, hydrogen, crude oil, and sulfur. These research efforts have demonstrated success;
however, widespread commercial adoption of these technologies has not occurred in the United
States at this point in time.
The most significant domestic project is a planned public-private partnership with the City of
Phoenix and an Arizona firm named Renew Phoenix. As part of the partnership, Renew Phoenix
will attempt to convert plastics to fuel using the firm’s propriety chemical process. The
partnership is expected to begin operations some time in 2020.
Locally, the technologies used to convert plastic to fuel are not currently supported by Texas
state law. As part of the current state legislative session, bills were proposed in both the House of
Representatives and the Senate regarding the conversion of plastics and other recoverable
materials through pyrolysis or gasification. H.B. No. 1953 is awaiting action by the House, and
S.B. No. 1656 was left pending in Committee.
Staff will continue to monitor this bill and the commercial viability of similar technologies.
Please let us know if you have additional questions.
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Ethan Cox
Director of Solid Waste
(940) 349-7421
Ethan.Cox@cityofdenton.com