Background The amount of municipal solid waste – MSW (predominantly household domestic waste) appeared, at project set-up, to be continually increasing, influenced by economic growth and population changes resulting from this growth. A sustainable MSW management system requires both prevention and reuse of waste; the latter including both materials’ and thermal recycling. The two conventional schemes for the energy valorisation of MSW are: - using it as a fuel in cement manufacturing; and - burning it in dedicated incinerators for energy recovery. In both cases the quality of the fuel required is low. This project sought to develop a new scheme for energy recovery from MSW. It would require a higher fuel quality, and consequently more waste processing, before being available as fuel.) Objectives The project aimed to produce: (1) a high-quality substitute fuel derived from municipal solid waste; and (2) to implement a new industrial scheme for energy recovery using high enthalpy heat. To realise the first objective i.e. to produce a high-quality substitute fuel, a sequence of optimisation and addition of equipment would be required to the usual mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) facility for municipal waste. To realise the second objective i.e. to develop a new recovery scheme (e.g. high enthalpy heat) different recovery schemes would need to be considered and evaluated, an agreement with an industrial partner established, permits would be required and the valorisation unit would have to be built. Throughout the implementation of the project, Idelux aimed to continue its proactive policy for the recovery of MSW and to improve its services to municipalities in its working areas. Among other benefits, the project aimed to show a reduction of MSW being sent to landfills. Results Unfortunately, the project never really got off the ground. The main reasons are: - The recent economic crisis made investment in a new valorisation chain less attractive to industries; - Falling energy prices (i.e energy prices were higher at the initial project proposal stage); - Internal changes within the organisation of the beneficiary, which delayed the decision to proceed with the project.