Summary Readers Response (Final)

 In the article “Parliament:Singapore looks to create Newoil by transforming waste plastic into alternative fuel,”  by Liu (2020) highlights how Singapore uses the different methods of recycling waste to move closer towards being a zero-waste nation. Liu notes that Singapore ambitiously wants to generate Newoil, by using plastic waste to create pyrolysis oil, which can replace fossil fuel.Singapore is looking at developing its chemical recycling industry and establishing a pilot plant for this.Liu also mentions that National Environment Agency (NEA) would implement deposit refund scheme by 2022 to encourage recycling.Producers and retailers of packaged products need to submit packaging data annually to NEA to reduce amount of waste sent to Semakau Landfill. NEA introduces Newsand, made from incinerated bottom ash and slag, construction materials that will be tested to build roads.Liu states that Singapore are developing three new facilities to process the rising e-waste.Liu claims premises contributing large amounts of food waste would be required to segregate the waste for treatment by 2024.

According to Liu, Newoil is a sustainable solution to the rising plastic waste problem Singapore is currently facing. Newoil can provide benefits such as improving the recycling rate of plastic waste and provide economic opportunities for Singapore. However, Liu did not mention the cost of it being higher than conventional fossil fuel prices, which might deter consumers from using it.

One area that can make Newoil exciting is that it can increase recycling waste for plastic waste and reduce greenhouse gas emission. As Newoil chemically recycles plastic waste into pyrolysis oil, this increases the recycling rate of plastic waste and reduces the waste going to landfill. Additionally, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced. Yang et al., (2016) states that the whole carbon cycle might be renewable as net greenhouse gas emission is zero. Ning et al. (2013) states that  pyrolysis oil can reduce approximately 2835 kg CO2/m3 pyrolysis oil (0.079 kg CO2/MJ) of greenhouse gas emissions as compared to fossil fuel such as oil and coal. The environmental impact indicator is 0.105 Pt, which is much more environmentally friendly than fossil fuel. Therefore, the environmental benefits of Newoil brings Singapore towards a low carbon economy as stated by Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources Amy Khor( 2020).

Liu's article has failed to mention one critical disadvantage of Newoil which is the cost. Lane (2017) states that U.S. government’s NREL Lab compares the selling price of pyrolysis oil per gallon is about $2.53 as to the selling price of gasoline per gallon is $1.28. Despite its ability to turn waste into pyrolysis oil and its environmental benefits, the higher cost of Newoil might deter consumers, which makes it difficult to compete in the current oil products market.

Moreover, Liu’s article mentions Newoil bringing economic growth for Singapore. As investment in new recycling technology and development of the industry is expected to create economic opportunities for Singapore and jobs for Singaporeans in the fields of mechanical, chemical and process engineering.  In a case study, NREL (2015) states that during construction of pyrolysis plants in Iowa, the project directly used 3,156 full timers and 1,172 full time support staff for a period of 36 months while creating 417 million dollars in total.  This shows that the development of pyrolysis plants in Singapore will profit Singapore greatly. Therefore, it proves that there is a high possibility Singapore will benefit economically from developing Newoil.

In conclusion, I believe Newoil will bring more advantages than its limitations as it develops in Singapore within the next few years. Newoil’s ability to reduce the plastic waste problem and creating a renewable source of fuel shows its capabilities to succeed in Singapore. I believe Newoil brings Singapore a step forward towards a zero-waste nation.


References

Lane,J.(2017, June 8). Biomass Pyrolysis Comes Of Age. The Digest.

https://www.biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2017/06/08/biomass-pyrolysis-comes-of-age/

Liu, V. (2020, March 4). Parliament: S’pore looks to create Newoil by transforming waste plastic into alternative fuel. The Straits Times.

https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/parliament-singapore-looks-to-transform-waste-plastic-into-oil

Yang, Q.,Han,Fei., Chen,Y., Yang,H., & Chen,H. (2016). Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. Volume 53, Pages 1580-1590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.09.049

Ning,S., Hung, M., Chang, Y., Wan, H., Lee, H.,  & Shih,R (2013). Journal of Cleaner Production. Volume 59, Pages 141-149.

               https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.06.042

National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2015). Jobs and Economic Development Impact (JEDI) User Reference Guide: Fast Pyrolysis Biorefinery Model. (NREL/TP-6A20-62548).

              https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy15osti/62548.pdf

 

 

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