The pressure at the turn of the 21st century for Waste Disposal Authorities to change their waste disposal systems was both urgent and comprehensive, with emphasis being placed on moving towards the 3Rs; Reducing, Recycling and Recovering value from Municipal Wastes. This thesis explores how a mass balance model was created for the Brighton & Hove City and East Sussex County council Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract, in response to the pressures for change and need for investment up to 2002. An identification and evaluation of the drivers for change at the time has been undertaken; with it being demonstrated that legislation, lack of landfill space and underlying public pressure were the stimulus for change.