The suitability and effectiveness of a waste treatment process or strategy depends upon a waste
stream’s physical and chemical composition. Chemical properties of UK waste streams,
particularly MSW, are limited while physical properties are better documented. Consequently
this presents a degree of uncertainty with the waste’s properties, manifesting itself as financial
risk in the investment of new treatment or disposal plant. To mitigate this uncertainty, a number
of UK waste surveys have been reviewed to determine if there is significant difference in the
calorific value between waste streams. Ultimate and proximate analysis data from a number of
sources have been collected and used to approximate the chemical composition of each waste
fraction. To facilitate the comparison of each waste stream, a hypothetical compound of the form
C6HaOb has been determined for each. Based on this analysis, all UK waste streams share the
hypothetical formula C6H10O3, indicating that on a dry basis, the composition of waste in the UK
is fairly consistent. Monte Carlo analysis of the hypothetical compound structure revealed that
for both household and civic amenity waste streams, the hydrogen and oxygen content only
deviate slightly from the mean values. Since MSW is predominantly comprised of household and
civic amenity waste, the hypothetical compound C6H10O3 can be used to approximate UK MSW
