British Airways set to power fleet with fuel converted from household waste

British Airways Monday announced that it has entered a partnership to design a series of waste plants that convert household waste into renewable jet fuel to power its fleet.

The first plant will take hundreds of thousands of tons of household waste per-year, destined for landfill or incineration, including nappies, plastic food containers, and chocolate bar wrappers, and convert it into clean-burning, sustainable fuels, according to the airline.

“Turning household waste into jet fuel is an amazing innovation that produces clean fuel while reducing landfill,” said Willie Walsh, chief executive of IAG (International Airlines Group), which is the parent company of British Airways.

The planned plant will produce enough fuel to power all British Airways’ 787 Dreamliner operated flights from London to San Jose and New Orleans for a whole year. The jet fuel produced at the plant will deliver more than 60 percent greenhouse gas reduction, compared with conventional fossil fuel.

This will contribute to the airline’s commitment to reduce net emissions by 50 percent by 2050, the airline said. It plans to supply its aircraft fleet with increasing amounts of sustainable jet fuel in the next decade.