The Ghana Science and Technology Explorer Prize (GSTEP) is a project intended to promote STEM education among junior high school pupils.

This project provides an opportunity for youngsters, mostly in groups, to use their creativity to address societal problems.

Team GasMatt, came up with the innovative idea of converting plastic into fuel.

"We made a prototype on plastic pyrolysis plant. What it does is that it converts plastic wastes, which is now a major headache in our country, into fuel, as in the material that can be burned to produce heat," said the team leader.

The country generates approximately 840,000 tonnes of plastic waste per year.

More than 2,000 waste pickers are making an impact by cleaning up plastic debris dumped on beaches, in drains, and other sites.

Since most of these plastics are non-biodegradable, there’s a need for recycling, and a more sustainable way will be to transform them into fuel for the country.

"If we are able to do this, we put plastic waste to good use, and we actually have a clean environment," the team leader added.

The GasMatt team leader advised the youth to take an interest in math and science.

"…if you believe it’s difficult, you don’t expect it to be easy for you. When you believe it’s easy, when you go in and it becomes difficult, you tell yourself that ‘I can do this.’ So that’s all about math and science; you keep on pushing till you find something," he said.