Evaluation of CO₂ Reduction Potential of Collecting and Recycling Household Used Cooking Oil using GIS

Abstract

In Kitakyushu City, used cooking oil (UCO) collected from households can be recycled into biodiesel fuel (BDF) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This study employs Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis to visualize the spatial distribution of collection sites in relation to population density, thereby clarifying the relationship between accessibility and potential recovery volume. Furthermore, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to evaluate CO₂ emissions from the transportation process, the conversion of waste oil into renewable fuels, and the substitution of these fuels for fossil-based energy. For comparison, the environmental impacts of unrecycled waste oil treated through incineration and wastewater disposal were also assessed. The results indicate that BDF production could reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 470 t per year, while SAF production could achieve a reduction of about 416 t annually.