By Jim Johnson
SENIOR STAFF REPORTER
Published: September 12, 2013 2:29 pm ET
Updated: September 12, 2013 2:32 pm ET
There are more than three dozen facilities either operating or under development in the United States looking to advance the use of gasification of solid waste, including plastics.
A new report examining the challenges and opportunities for gasification of waste has been prepared by Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. for the American Chemistry Council.
“Plastics are a valuable resource, and we need to recycle them whenever it makes sense to do so,” said Steve Russell, ACC’s vice president of plastics, in a statement.
“But not all plastics can be recycled in a way that’s economically and environmentally efficient. Emerging technologies that can convert waste into electricity, higher value fuels and chemicals can help us capture plastics’ high-energy value and put it to work to help power communities across America.”
The report indicates 21 demonstration gasification facilities currently are operating in the United States and 17 commercial-scale sites are under development.
“Gasification is one of a growing number of exciting new technologies under development that may one day harness the potential of waste as an abundant source of domestic energy,” said Harvey Gershman, president of Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, in a statement. | 
