British born pilot, adventurer and environmentalist, Jeremy Rowsell, is planning to fly across America in August 2016 in a plane powered by recycled plastic waste.
Reported to be a world first and supported by Sir David Attenborough, the On Wings of Waste flight aims to use recycled plastic waste as aviation fuel.
Rowsell’s inspiration for this flight is said to have come from flying single engine airplanes in the Pacific as a ferry pilot.
“I had heard of the pacific garbage patch, but until I stepped foot on the islands myself I didn’t realise how big the issue was,” said Rowsell. “I believe that the problem can be resolved within a generation by changing attitudes and giving plastic value rather than treating it in a disposable fashion. Plastic to oil technology is one of these solutions. The fuel itself is also more efficient and cleaner, and can reduce green house gas emissions by up to 70%.”
Working with manufacturers of plastic to oil technology, Rowsell is reported to now have a product that is capable of being used as aviation fuel made from end of life plastic waste.
The pilot is being backed by Plastic Energy, a specialist in the conversion of end-of-life plastic waste into synthetic fuels. Carlos Monreal, president and CEO of Plastic Energy said: “Jeremy’s flight is a tremendous opportunity to showcase how plastic waste can be put to productive use instead of thrown away to pollute the oceans or despoil the land.”
Roswell said he plans to fly over 3000 miles from San Francisco to Alaska.
Sir David Attenborough stated: “It is a sign of hope in a very depressing world. At last a mechanism has been found where they are turning plastic waste into something that can be used and be valuable.”
The On Wings of Waste flight is also expected to be part of a TV documentary adventure series, Life Challenge Alaska to be aired globally later this year.
Source: http://www.recyclingwasteworld.co.uk/news/pilot-set-to-fly-across-usa-in-plane-powered-by-recycled-plastic-waste/116804/