Innovative Technology Offers Promise as an Economical and Eco-friendly Solution
A prototype machine that converts plastic to fuel will be demonstrated in public for the first time on Wednesday, October 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Cabrillo Community College in Aptos, CA. The technology was developed as an economic and environmentally sensitive solution to the sprawling accumulation of plastic in the world’s oceans.
Presenters include Jim Holm, executive director of Clean Oceans International, a Santa Cruz, CA-based nonprofit organization that spearheaded development of the “PTF 100” prototype, and researchers, academics and scientists from the University of California at Santa Cruz, Cabrillo College, and private industry.
“Clean Oceans International recently commissioned the prototype PTF 100 unit from Michigan-based EcoFuel Technologies to move plastic-to-fuel conversion from imagination to proof-of-concept and help us realize our vision of creating financially-motivated local plastic waste management as a response to plastic pollution on a global scale,” said Holm. “Plastic fuel creates greater value than present recycling options, which we believe will motivate stewardship of waste plastic as a valuable new resource rather than a new disposal problem.”
The PTF 100 weighs about 500 pounds and converts about 10 pounds of shredded plastic into one gallon of fuel per hour. The best plastics are low and high density polyethylene (types 2 and 4), such as milk and detergent jugs, grocery bags and food wrap; polypropylene (5), including yogurt containers and shampoo bottles; and polystyrene (6), such as egg cartons, hot beverage cups and packaging peanuts.
Featured Presenters:
Joe Nugent, Facilities Director, Cabrillo College — “Welcome remarks”
Jim Holm, Executive Director of Clean Oceans International — “A Vision of Clean Oceans: Our long road home to help our oceans”
Tamara Ball, Ph.D., Project Scientist, University of California at Santa Cruz — “Plastic to Fuel Recycling as Academic Exercise: The future is taking shape today”
Dustin Wilson, Director of Energy Systems, Scientific Applications International Corp. — “Building the PTF 100, Our Development Path: Answering questions one at a time”
Dr. Swaminathan Ramesh, CEO, EcoFuel Technologies — “Plastic-to-Fuel Conversion, Breaking the Bonds: The chemistry involved in plastic fuel”
Scalable PTF 100 is meets plastic recycling and conversion needs of any size users, even in remote areas, and reduces plastic and carbon footprints, creates local jobs, and saves money. The technology will also reduce transporting plastic waste to foreign recycling centers, thereby delivering an economical source of diesel fuel and gasoline.
Clean Oceans International is currently working with Cabrillo College and UCSC, local business and the regional agriculture industry on an environmental stewardship case study for recycling plastic waste in the Monterey Bay region.
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Presentation & Demonstration
Wednesday, October 21 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Cabrillo Community College campus recycling facility • 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos
Jim “Homer” Holm, Co-founder and Executive Director, Clean Oceans International. Captain Jim “Homer” Holm is tasked with identifying and developing technologies to remove destructive plastic marine debris from the world’s oceans. He has worked for more than 30 years in the maritime trades on sail and motor craft, and has navigated the world’s major oceans. He has developed and operated acclaimed nonprofit marine education programs for clients including O’Neill International and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. For more information please visit www.cleanoceansintl.com.
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Clean Oceans International was founded in 2009 and is dedicated to reducing plastic pollution in the oceans through a comprehensive global approach that includes research, technical innovation, public awareness, and efficient plastic waste management. Clean Oceans International is a 501c3 public benefit corporation and is based in Santa Cruz, CA on the Santa Cruz Harbor, gateway to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. For more information, please call (831) 476-8267 or visit www.cleanoceansinternational.org.