Waste management processes generally represent a significant loss of material, energy and 10 economic resources, so legislation and financial incentives are being implemented to improve the 11 recovery of these valuable resources whilst reducing contamination levels. Material recovery and 12 waste derived fuels are potentially valuable options being pursued by industry, using mechanical and 13 biological processes incorporating sensor and sorting technologies developed and optimised for 14

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... ling plants. In its current state, waste management presents similarities to other industries that 15 could improve their efficiencies using process analytical technology tools. Existing sensor 16 technologies could be used to measure critical waste characteristics, providing data required by 17 existing legislation, potentially aiding waste treatment processes and assisting stakeholders in decision 18 making. Optical technologies offer the most flexible solution to gather real-time information 19 applicable to each of the waste mechanical and biological treatment processes used by industry. In 20 particular, combinations of optical sensors in the visible and the near-infrared range from 800 nm to 21 2500 nm of the spectrum, and different mathematical techniques, are able to provide material 22 information and fuel properties with typical performance levels between 80% and 90%. These sensors 23 not only could be used to aid waste processes, but to provide most waste quality indicators required 24 by existing legislation, whilst offering better tools to the stakeholders. 25 26