Scientists from Swansea University have figured out a way to convert any kind of plastic waste into hydrogen fuel that could one day power cars.

Researchers at Swansea University made the breakthrough by adding a light-absorbing material to plastic and leaving it in a solution exposed to sunlight.

The process could also be a cheaper alternative to recycling as the plastic does not need to be cleaned first, according to the Swansea based scientists.

A lead researcher, Dr Moritz Kuehnel said that there’s a lot of plastic used every year – billions of tonnes – and only a fraction of it is being recycled. Scientists are trying to find a use for what is not being recycled.

The main breakthrough is that the process is not picky, it can degrade all sorts of waste.