Local Innovator studies the conversion of plastic to fuel in the Yukon

Plastic recyclables may become a new source of oil for the Yukon. Cold Climate Innovation (CCI), at the Yukon Research Centre, is financing a local innovator to investigate the territory’s capacity to convert local low grade plastic to fuel.

Yukon researcher and innovator, Andy Lera, approached CCI with a proposal that may solve two local problems: the net financial loss of shipping plastic recyclables south and the costly shipment of oil to the north. “The Yukon has a large supply of low grade plastics that could be turned into oil and this could benefit the territory ecologically and possibly economically”, said Andy Lera. Converting plastic to oil would reduce the Yukon’s carbon footprint and may save the government and recycling depots money while producing oil that is ecologically friendly.

With financial support from CCI, Lera will study the territory’s capacity for producing plastic for the conversion process. He will also examine the possible economic paybacks along with how this technology could be employed; centralized in Whitehorse or by a mobile device that travels to communities throughout the territory.

“Our mandate is to support local innovators, like Andy Lera, whose ideas may provide economic and ecological benefits to the Yukon”, said Stephen Mooney, director, Cold Climate Innovation.

The scope of the study involves three Yukon communities; Whitehorse, Haines Junction and the hamlet of Mount Lorne. Lera will examine whether the various populations can supply enough plastic to make the conversion to oil economical.

If the research proves that this technology is viable in the Yukon, the conversion machine will be purchased and oil will be produced for Yukoners. The conversion of plastic to oil is only happening in a few countries throughout the world. The Yukon Research Centre may be the first to initiate this technology in Canada.

Cold Climate Innovation is a program at the Yukon Research Centre, funded by Yukon government Economic Development, that is focused on the development, commercialization and export of sustainable cold climate technologies and related solutions for subarctic regions around the world.