Zap!
Perhaps the USAF should have a good look around at some of the recycling technologies they already have in the US. There is a company called Global Resource Corp that zaps plastics and things like old tyres in a large microwave to produce a high calorific content diesel and a good percentage of pure carbon black (soot). Shortly we could see America processing the Springfield tyre fire to propell their airforce whilst spreading the the sooty by product on their allotments.