This individual is producing homemade 'gasoline' from recycled plastic and solar energy.

      Julian Brown/Instagram

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      It's an intriguing idea: converting plastic waste into gasoline solely using solar power. That’s precisely what serial entrepreneur Julian Brown (@naturejab_ on Instagram) claims to be achieving, employing DIY equipment possibly right in his backyard. He refers to it as “plastoline.” Simple yet elegant. But is it legitimate?

      This video lacks specific details, yet it seems that Brown is merging two established processes: extracting ethanol from a petrochemical source (in this case, consumer plastics) and distilling that ethanol into octane (the substances that determine gasoline's rating) for fuel use. Yes, if you've ever seen a documentary about the South during Prohibition, this setup might look somewhat familiar for a reason: what you’re observing is essentially a complex still.

      There are multiple reasons why attempting to recreate this at home is not advisable—at least not without caution. The first is the most apparent: stills can explode. Nearly every online "How do I make my own gasoline?" query leads to a top response advising against it: “Don’t. You could harm yourself. Consider diesel instead.” In fact, even AI can warn you that this is a risky endeavor. Reflect on that.

      Then there’s the other significant concern: cost. Granted, there’s no meter measuring the sun's output, but Brown’s solar setup appears quite sophisticated. He displays equipment with an electrical load exceeding 14 kilowatts—that’s around 60 amps on a standard 240-volt circuit, sufficient to operate a high-quality home EV charger at full capacity. You won't achieve that with a typical solar “generator.”

      While our industrious chemist could have sourced the waste plastic from various places, this setup clearly involves high-quality industrial gear. Pressure- and heat-rated vessels are not inexpensive—much less free—and I suspect the average person doesn't have an octane tester readily available. Although a determined DIY enthusiast might manage to replicate this setup, it isn't feasible with just a quick visit to Home Depot.

      This brings us to another hurdle: the cost curve of hobbies. Anyone who became involved in the biodiesel trend during the Great Recession can attest: it started off seeming “free,” but as more people jumped in, acquiring waste grease became increasingly challenging and often prohibitively costly.

      This idea may be termed differently in more advanced contexts, but I’m referring to a fairly straightforward supply-demand curve. Equipment for specialized hobbies tends to be pricey. If the hobby gains popularity, increased demand often leads to expanded production, fostering competition that might lower prices. Increased popularity can lead to greater accessibility.

      However, if demand continues to rise while costs drop, what was once an expensive niche product can transform into an appealing option for mass production and commoditization. When this occurs, the affordability curve shifts negatively. Raw materials become appealing to investors, and the source of inexpensive waste starts to diminish, disrupting the cost-benefit equilibrium for hobbyists and smaller operators.

      In summary, although this may seem enticing for DIY enthusiasts, it is not currently a commercially viable option on a large scale—at least not yet. Capitalism at work!

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