JCU project could turn plastic waste into biochar soil improver

Researchers addressing urgent need for technologies to recover plastic waste

Microwave heating technology that will turn plastic waste into high-carbon charcoal products is being developed by engineers at James Cook University in north Queensland.

Mohan Jacob, the university’s head of electrical engineering, is working with engineering professor Graham Brodie to design a waste processing system that could convert plastic waste to biochar—a product that can be used to improve agricultural soils and as a carbon sink.