Abstract: The instant invention relates to a method of converting the solid organic fraction of solid waste into a powdered fuel which comprises heating said solid organic fraction in the presence of an organic acid for a time and at a temperature sufficient to embrittle said solid organic fraction, comminuting said embrittled solid organic fraction to a powder which is less than a predetermined particle size, and recovering said powder.The solid organic fraction may be separated from the solid waste prior to treatment by the process of this invention or alternatively the solid waste can be treated by the method of this invention and the embrittled organic fraction separated therefrom. The organic acid may be added to the solid organic fraction as an aqueous solution, a gas, or solid, preferably as an aqueous solution of oxalic acid. The embrittling process takes place at a temperature of at least 125.degree. C., preferably from 150.degree. C. to 250.degree. C.