The influences of alkali and alkali-earth salts on the combustion of municipal solid waste (MSW) have been studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In the presence of alkali and alkali-earth salts, the combustion of MSW become easier than that of non-catalyzed MSW. By comparing the different temperatures when CRCM (conversion ratio of combustible matter) is 5 %, and CRCM when temperature reaches 1123 K, the different influences of catalysts on the ignition and burn off of MSW can be obtained. The kinetic model of catalytic combustion has also been investigated in this paper. The catalytic importance sequence to ignition of MSW is described as: CaO-CaCl2 > KOH > K2CO3 > KCl > Na2CO3 > MgO > NaOH > BaCO3 > CaO. The catalytic importance sequence to burn off of MSW is described as: Na2CO3 > NaOH > CaO-CaCl2 > MgO > KCl > K2CO3 > KOH = BaCO3 > CaO. According to the activation energy of combustion, the catalytic importance sequence for the first combustion process is described as KOH > K2CO3 > NaOH > CaO-CaCl2 > Na2CO3 > MgO > KCl > BaCO3 > CaO, the catalytic importance sequence for the second combustion process is described as KOH > MgO > NaOH > CaO-CaCl2 > Na2CO3 > CaO > KCl > K2CO3 > BaCO3 (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.