This paper presents an approach to analyze the impacts of policy decisions, such as the implementation of an energy law article on the management of bio-waste. We show first results for the case of the Canton Zurich, Switzerland. We depart from a simplified material flux model, which allows for investigating the in- and output-fluxes of the processes composting and anaerobic digestion in the
Canton Zurich. We then analyze the impact of the implemented article on the bio-waste system. We argue that a system analysis including material fluxes, agent analysis, and regulation mechanisms, is a prerequisite for understanding the impact of policies on a waste management system and thus, for developing an optimization process.