![Plastic scrap in landfill](https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/28103823/SEI_173548784.jpg?width=1200)
Polyethylene, used in plastic bags, can be converted into hydrogen and graphene
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A new way to make hydrogen from waste plastic also produces graphene as a byproduct. If the graphene is sold at its current market price, it could actually become profitable to generate hydrogen as a clean fuel.
The most common way to produce hydrogen involves reacting steam with methane sourced from natural gas. However, this process releases large quantities of carbon dioxide. There are carbon-free ways to make hydrogen, but they require large amounts of electricity and can …