AbstractThe job we present refers to a great actuality problem: urban solid waste disposal. This article discusses one of the most frequently used disposal techniques for incineration. A standard plant is modelled and translated in a software product implemented on a personal computer with the ltalsider stochastic simulation method with discrete temporal=type event evolution. Considering as starting point the statistical analysis of hystorical series concerning the waste quality and the plant breakdowns, we have formulated an up-to-date database to be interfaced to the simulator. Said simulator, after a preliminar statistical confirmation phase, has been utilized in the experimental campaign carried out with the usual experimental design techniques, to the end of obtaining mathematic models describing the actual functioning. The aim of this research is to optimize the plant pre-project phases and to adapt the simulator to the specific industrial requirements.