BRIN TAKEs ADVANTAGE Of Nuclear Technology To REcycle Plastic Waste

Volunteers identified plastic waste samples on the coast of Palu Bay, Palu, Central Sulawesi, Wednesday (12/10/2022). BETWEEN PHOTOS

JAKARTA - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) conducted research on the use of nuclear technology to recycle plastic waste. "Nuclear technology can be used to improve product quality in plastic recycling," said Head of the Nuclear Energy Research Organization (ORTN) BRIN Rohadi Awaludin when contacted by Antara in Jakarta, Friday, October 14. Rohadi said the plastic utilization process could use gamma-ray and electron radiation technology as a complement to mechanical and chemical recycling methods so that certain plastic waste could be modified to be reused or recycled. "With irradiation, plastic waste can be combined with other materials to make a product that is more durable. We can also make it into fuel or other raw materials through a radiolysis process," he said. With the use of irradiation, plastic waste can be processed into plastic wood composites or Wood Plastic Composite (WPC), which is an ingredient that can later be used for various home products. Rohadi said the plastic wood composite product was water-resistant and termite and had a wooden-like appearance. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has asked Indonesia to become a pilot country (pilot country) for three phases of the nuclear technology implementation project for Plastic Pollution Control or Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution (NUTEC Plastics). The three phases of the project consist of strengthening the handling of plastic waste in the downstream sector, building demonstration plants, and upstreaming the use of irradiation technology for handling plastic waste.