# Waste plastic has been used to make activated carbon in what could offer a commercial solution to the global plastics crisis.

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/11/waste-plastic-has-been-used-to-make-activated-carbon-in-what-could-offer-a-commercial-solution-to-the-global-plastics-crisis/
- Published: 2019-11-05T01:40:17-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

![ByGen has had success turning a number of waste plastics including PET into activated
carbon.](https://ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/XvjTsgRXcwfIKFjEf_Fw2IUbLCOJqq3yg8HdLASq7SLnDeEn5Cy2wGch7KYuvCVDSya1S3ymbKsarys1P0p9vdz8oL8f9y8do9ddStqswoOzDG_OATgPbTAQ4t49yFJsIOdEYsM4ztKidEuG7xec
=s0-d-e1-ft#http://theleadsouthaustralia.com.au//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2019/
11/plastic_pollution-850x455.jpg)

ByGen has had success turning a number of waste plastics including PET into activated
carbon.

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/antoine-giret-
7_TSzqJms4w-unsplash.jpg?resize=300%2C199&quality=52&ssl=1 "antoine-giret-7_TSzqJms4w-
unsplash - The Green Living Guy")

To begin, South Australian company ByGen expanded its focus from agricultural wastes.
Now it’s including plastics with activated carbon. That means it’s energy being 
made from several types of plastic. They are even including contaminated plastics
waste.

ByGen co-founder Ben Morton and CEO Lewis Dunnigan believe the breakthrough is the
first.

That’s because the Adelaide-based company is looking for an industry partner in 
the plastics sector. All to develop the [technology](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/03/how-data-centers-are-pioneering-green-technology/)
further and take it to market.

Dunnigan commented that there’s a big problem with contaminated plastics. Most interestingly
is a global problem! Therefore we need to think about making activated carbon from
it creating 3 – 5 MW of heat. Can you say a more efficient way that other forms 
of energy.

Activated carbon has a variety of industrial uses. They are including purifying 
liquids such as drinking water. Also food and beverage processing. Furthermore odor
removal, contaminated soil remediation and finally gold processing.

Most importantly, it is traditionally made from coal, hardwood or coconut shells.
It usually sells for about A$2000 a ton.

Heat can be a valuable bi-product for industries. They are brick making, cement 
production and industrial drying processes. First of all and most importantly, one
ton of plastic generates 3 to 5 MW of heat.

That’s most importantly a lot of energy folks. I mean enough that it then can be
converted to electricity or exported to the grid.

ByGen most noteworthy is beginning a campaign for plastic and activated carbon. 
A campaign most importantly to raise approximately $2.5 million. Finally and all
to build a plant.

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Finally, this is a Creative Commons [story from The Lead](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/12/lead-pipes-the-real-story/)
South Australia; a news service.

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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