<p>Microwave-assisted pyrolysis is a promising alternative for recovering plastic waste to produce liquid fuels and high-value chemical compounds. This study uses locally synthesized zeolites from clay as catalysts to investigate the microwave pyrolysis of single-layer high-density polyethylene (HDPE) packaging waste. The methodology includes synthesizing and characterizing HY zeolites non-dealuminated (HY_ND) and dealuminated (HY_D) from clay. The effect of pyrolysis time and zeolite type on fuel yield, and finally, the GC-MS composition determination of the hydrocarbons produced. Locally synthesized HY zeolites show properties comparable to industrial zeolites, with specific surface areas of 315&#xa0;m²/g and Si/Al ratios of 3.70 (HY_ND) and 3.05 (HY_D). FTIR spectra confirm their typical HY-type structure. Although zeolites have little effect on fuel yield, pyrolysis time has a significant influence. GC/MS analysis of the fuels produced by microwave pyrolysis of HDPE reveals that the composition of hydrocarbons (C₉-C₃₀) varies according to zeolite. The use of HY_D zeolite significantly enhances the production of light aromatic hydrocarbons, with aromatics reaching 22.56% and light fractions (C₉–C₁₂) rising sharply to 60.34%. This formulation also leads to a marked reduction in heavier hydrocarbons (C₂₄–C₃₀), indicating more efficient cracking. In contrast, the HY_ND zeolite results in a more moderate increase in aromatics (3.58%) and favors the formation of mid-range fractions in the kerosene-diesel range (C₁₃–C₁₈), a trend also observed in the absence of a catalyst. The PCI values of the fuels produced range from 22.10 to 26.81&#xa0;MJ/kg, 2 times lower than those of diesel. These findings highlight the potential of dealuminated clay-based zeolites, such as HY_D, to enhance liquid fuel quality from plastic waste pyrolysis by promoting cracking and aromatization reactions.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>