The combustion of paper, fruit waste and plant residue mixtures representing the lignocellulosic materials of municipal solid waste (MSW) in different atmospheres (80N(2)/20O(2), 70N(2)/30O(2), 60N(2)/40O(2), 50N(5)/50O(2), 80CO(2)/20O(2), 70CO(2)/30O(2), 60CO(2)/40O(2), 50CO(2)/50O(2)) was analyzed thermogravimetrically. Replacement of 80% N-2 by 80% CO2 resulted in a slightly later ignition, a lower maximum weight loss rate and a change in reactions occurring above 600 C; however, as the oxygen concentration increased from 20% to 50% in CO2/O-2 atmosphere, the ignition temperature decreased from 318.5 to 310.8 degrees C and the maximum weight loss rate increased from 20.82% to 23.57%/min. An oxygen content of 30% in the CO2/O-2 atmosphere achieved a similar combustion performance as a 80N(2)/20O(2). The fruit waste mixture had the least residual weight (about 5%) and the earliest ignition (about 220 degrees C). This work contributes to the comprehensive understanding of lignocellulosic materials combustion and development of MSW oxy-fuel combustion. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.