We have described the main methods for energy utilization of municipal solid waste. The article contains the dynamics of morphological composition of municipal solid waste in St. Petersburg since 1975. We have summarized the results of the analysis of thermal characteristics of fuel gases obtained from municipal solid waste by different versions of modern technologies of bioconversion and thermolysis. We have described a method for obtaining the basic fuel characteristics of these gases. Moreover, the study covers the main aspects of fuel gas combustion in boilers and heat engines. As a result, we have proved that fuel gases can be used in industrial and civil boilers without their reconstruction.