The objective of integrated waste management is to deal with society's waste in an environmentally and economically sustainable way. Under the framework of integrated waste management, thermal treatment represents a valid option for reducing the amount of waste to be landfilled, at the same time allowing for waste hygienization. The relative importance of incineration as opposed to other waste treatment and disposal options, including mechanical/biological treatment and sanitary landfilling, varies considerably from country to country, depending on specific waste management strategies as well as space availability for final land disposal.