British Airways is one step closer to powering its future fleet with sustainable jet fuel made from rubbish.
Plans have been submitted to develop Europe’s first household and commercial solid waste to sustainable fuels plant, according to a British Airways' press release on 20 August 2019.
The proposed state-of-the-art plant would take over half-a-million tonnes each year of non-recyclable, everyday household and commercial solid waste (destined for landfill or incineration), such as meal packaging, nappies and takeaway coffee cups and convert it into cleaner burning sustainable aviation fuel.
“Sustainable fuels can be a game changer for aviation which will help power our aircraft for years to come," says Alex Cruz, British Airways Chairman and CEO.
"This development is an important step in the reduction of our carbon emissions and meeting the industry targets of carbon neutral growth from 2020, and a 50% in CO2 reduction by 2050 from 2005 levels.”
It's a collaboration by Altalto Immingham Limited (a subsidiary of renewable fuels company Velocys), along with British Airways and Shell.
The technology will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% for every tonne of sustainable jet fuel that replaces a tonne of conventional fossil fuel — equivalent to taking up to 40,000 cars per year off the road.
The fuel will also improve air quality with up to 90% reduction in soot from aircraft engine exhausts and almost 100% reduction in sulphur oxides.
