This dataset represents the waste treatment activity of “municipal solid waste” in a sanitary landfill. Recommended use of this dataset: for an average municipal/public waste mix. It is not suitable to represent any single specific waste such as plastics, paper or cardboard. The characteristics of municipal solid waste in Hengyang, Hunan Province are as follows: food/kitchen waste 37.19%, paper 22.9%, rubber 22.84%, textiles (fibres) 9.93%, wood and bamboo 3.41%, ash and soil 0%, bricks/tiles and ceramics 1.15%, glass 2.14%, metals 0.45%, others 0%. Moisture 51.43%, higher heating value 9094.91kJ/kg, lower heating value 7146.88kJ/kg. The share of carbon in the initial waste that is of biogenic origin is 60.4%. The proportion of metals in the waste that is unoxidised and largely recoverable (excluding very small or very thin components): iron: 60.03%; aluminium: 17.81%; copper: 72.83%. Overall waste degradation rate over 100 years: 18.73%. Degradability of the constituent waste fractions: paper: 27%; mixed cardboard: 32.4%; plastics: 1%; laminated materials: 18%; laminated packaging such as beverage cartons: 18%; composite goods such as disposable diapers: 18%; glass: 0%; textiles: 12%; minerals: 0%; natural products: 27%; compostable materials: 27%; inert metals: 10%; volatile metals: 0%; batteries: 0%; electronics: 0%; landfill gas capture and utilisation generates 2.54E-04 kWh of electricity and 9.14E-01 MJ of useful heat.