Waste toilet paper could be used to generate low carbon energy at a similar cost to residential solar power.

That’s according to researchers from the University of Amsterdam, who say the novel method of generation could simultaneously tackle the problems of overflowing landfills and dependency on fossil fuels.

On average, each European citizens produce up to 14 kilogrammes of the potential feedstock each year.

Waste toilet paper is a rich source of carbon, made up of around 80% cellulose – this cellulose is turned into a green gas which is then converted to power using fuel cells.

Researchers call it the “ultimate waste recycling concept” as people pay to have it taken away and it is a continually available resource, unlike intermittent renewables.