PRODUCTION OF FUEL ETHANOL FROM THE WASTE PAPER IN GARBAGE

By employing a relatively simple process consisting of enzymatic liquefaction followed by combined saccharification and yeast fermentation, yields of 400 litres of ethanol per ton of waste paper have been obtained. When acid-catalysed steam pretreatment was employed, yields were 460 litres per ton, about 85% of theory. Paper-enriched fractions obtained from Materials Recovery Facilities also gave very high yields based on their cellulose content. The enzymes employed were made here as part of the process. It is estimated that fully in place the volume of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) going to landfill would be reduced by about 40%. There is enough waste paper in MSW to displace about 10% of the fuel now used by Ontario's motorists with the environmentally friendly, high octane, non-petroleum ethanol motor fuel.