From Waste to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Used Cooking Oil (UCO) as a Renewable Energy Source

This research examines the potential of used cooking oil (UCO) as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) amidst increasing global pressure to reduce emissions in the aviation sector. The study aims to assess the technological feasibility, environmental impact, economic aspects, policy, and logistical challenges in utilizing UCO as a renewable energy source for aircraft fuel. The method used is a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) with the PRISMA protocol on 36 scientific articles from the 2023–2025 period from the ScienceDirect database. The study results indicate that conversion technologies such as Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) have reached a high readiness level and are capable of producing SAF with a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 60–90% compared to conventional jet fuel. Economically, UCO has competitive potential, especially if supported by policy incentives, although it still faces challenges in production costs and raw material supply limitations. These findings affirm that UCO can be an energy transition solution in the decarbonization of the aviation sector, provided there is policy strengthening, efficient waste collection systems, and harmonization of international regulations.