This is from a patent for a high tech invention for generating electricity from plastic waste:

“Through the use of oxygen, there is always a risk of dangerous organic chlorine compounds being formed.”

This is from a fact sheet for fire fighters:

“Decomposition and combustion products include carbon monoxide, carbon
dioxide, carbon (soot), formaldehyde, and acrolein.”

and

“The short term exposure to polypropylene by all routes is considered to be practically non-harmful.”

The patented process gets around this problem, but I suspect the generator in Hawaii might have been more conventional.

I guess the important thing to note is that leaving the plastic as is in the environment means that it would all eventually break down into tiny fragments that can then enter the food chain. Burning it converts most of it into water vapor, CO2 and energy. Keep in mind that Hawaii would have burned something else to make that energy anyway (diesel?)

Well done to the gals in Hawaii. Finding out the source of nets is very worthwhile. Maybe they should be clearly marked for country or company, to provide an audit trail.

This is a good topic, highlighting unthinking, unsustainable practices.

Anyone know if this would work?