Summary Readers Response (Post-Feeback)

In the article “Parliament: Singapore looks to create Newoil by transforming waste plastic into alternative fuel,” 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 a 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 also introduces Newsand, made from incinerated bottom ash and slag, construction materials that will be tested to build roads. According to Liu, Singapore is building three new facilities to manage the growing volume of e-waste, and establishments such as food preparation and processing facilities that generate big amounts of food waste will be obliged to separate the garbage for treatment by 2024.

According to Liu (2020), 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 (in the long term) reduce greenhouse gas emission. Plastic trash is chemically converted into Newoil, which reduces landfill waste. 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 fuels 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 to be about $2.53 while the selling price of gasoline per gallon is $1.28. * In regard to the price of oil, it fluctuates over time as this is a time-dependent expense. Despite its ability to convert trash into pyrolysis oil and its environmental benefits, Newoil's greater price may put off customers, making it impossible to compete in the present oil products market.

Furthermore, Liu's article acknowledges Newoil's contribution to Singapore's economic progress. Investment in innovative recycling technologies and the expansion of the industry is expected to provide Singapore with economic prospects and jobs 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. As a result, it illustrates that there is a good chance Singapore will benefit financially from the development of Newoil.

Finally, I believe that as Newoil grows in Singapore over the next few years, it will bring more benefits than drawbacks. The potential of Newoil to reduce plastic waste and create a green fuel source demonstrates its ability to prosper in Singapore. Newoil, in my opinion, moves Singapore closer to becoming 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

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

Ning, S., Hung, M., Chang, Y., Wan, H., Lee, H., & Shih, R. (2013). Benefit assessment of cost, energy, and environment for biomass pyrolysis oil. Journal of Cleaner Production,59(15), 141-149.

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

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