Municipal trash may deliver jet fuel with 90% lower emissions

A recent study led by researchers from Tsinghua University and the Harvard-China Project on Energy, Economy, and Environment reveals that municipal solid waste—including food scraps, plastics, and paper—can be converted into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with up to 90% lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet fuel. This waste-to-fuel process, involving gasification and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, not only reduces emissions but also helps manage increasing urban waste and decreases landfill reliance. Unlike road transport, which is rapidly electrifying, aviation lacks a straightforward decarbonization path, making SAF a critical near-term solution that can be used in existing aircraft engines without modification. The study estimates that globally, municipal solid waste could produce about 50 million tons (62 billion liters) of jet fuel, potentially cutting 16% of aviation sector emissions. Incorporating green hydrogen during production could boost output to 80 million tons, meeting 28% of global jet fuel demand and reducing carbon dioxide emissions