This project is the social science component of a biochemical project investigating the potential for recovering more of the energy content of the residual organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW), through a combination of biological (anaerobic digestion (AD)) and thermal (pyrolysis) processes.

The residual waste fraction is that left over after various recyclables have been removed, including that part of waste that can be composted or digested by bacteria. Currently this fraction is typically landfilled or incinerated. The main alternatives for treating this residual fraction are pyrolysis and gasification. The social science component of the project has been examining why these techniques are little used on heterogeneous waste in the UK and Europe.