Biofuel could cut global emissions by 80%

Waste-management-world.com
21-OCT-2009

Scientists in Singapore and Switzerland have published new research in a report called Global Change Biology: Bioenergy which states that converting waste from the world's landfills into biofuel, and using it in place of gasoline, could cut global carbon emissions by 80%.

Using alternative biofuels, such as those produced from crops, is not ideal because the necessary increase in crop production has an adverse environmental effect, but the use of refuse-derived biofuels e.g. cellulosic ethanol offers the same benefits.

'Our results suggest that fuel from processed waste biomass, such as paper and cardboard, is a promising clean energy solution,' said study author Associate Professor Hugh Tan of the National University of Singapore. 'If developed fully this biofuel could simultaneously meet part of the world's energy needs, while also combating carbon emissions and fossil fuel dependency.'

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