The researchers analyzed 12 types of common waste materials to understand how they break down when heated. They found that different materials need different amounts of energy to break down, with cotton needing the most and leather needing the least. Some materials release more energy than they need during breakdown, while others need extra energy. Only three materials had a negative energy balance, meaning they needed more energy than they released. Potato peelings had the highest positive energy balance. These findings can help model how waste breaks down and how much energy is needed or released in the process.