Major problems facing modern society include the provision of energy and means for waste disposal with the minimum generation of pollution and secondary wastes. Sustainable cities require the recovery of energy from that fraction of waste that cannot be economically reused or recycled. With up to 28 million tonnes of municipal solid waste having an average energy value of 10,000 kJ kg(-1) being generated in the UK annually, incineration of with energy recovery is seen as the best available option for the safe disposal of municipal waste. Current efficient waste management strategies are also aimed at reducing the amount of waste from municipal solid waste incinerator plants by processing ash from new plants to approach the target of zero net waste material output and reducing the pollutants in flue gases by end-of-pipe treatment. Although pollutants in flue gases can be reduced to practically any desired level, the economic and environmental costs should be justified. Our research activities at Sheffield University Waste Incineration Centre are focussed on cutting down the amount of waste produced by these plants in the form of ash, slag and air pollutants. Our aim is to develop efficient yet cost-effective waste, energy and pollution management strategies to assist the incineration industries to control and operate future energy plants in the most efficient way possible.