Gazans burn plastic waste to produce synthetic fuel

Residents of the besieged Gaza Strip have resorted to burning plastic waste to produce synthetic fuel. The process, known as pyrolysis, involves heating plastic in an oxygen-free environment to extract crude oil, which is then refined into diesel-like fuel for cars and power generators. MEMO's Mohammed Asad speaks to young Palestinians who have taken up this process in order to produce much needed fuel amidst severe shortages following Israel's total blockade on the territory. This makeshift solution has become a lifeline for many; however, experts warn of the serious environmental and health risks associated with the process, as it releases toxic fumes and relies on unsafe, improvised equipment.