COLUMBIA â Plastic is gaining traction as the next source of sustainable energy, despite its reputation as a major polluter.
Environmentalists are looking for new ways to reduce landfill pollution, and power plants are looking for energy sources that produce lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Some believe burning plastic could solve both of those problems.
Convergen Energy Pellets are made from waste paper and plastics compressed together. The MU power plant hopes to gain approval from the Missouri Department of Conservation to replace coal with the pellets during the next calendar year. Karsen Idelman/Missourian
Wisconsin-based Convergen Energy creates fuel pellets from pre-consumer paper and plastic. These are the scraps industrial manufacturers would otherwise throw out because of misprints on products or other concerns.