Which material in the waste composition has a BTU value of 0?

The material in the waste composition that has a BTU (British Thermal Unit) value of 0 is glass. BTUs are a measure of heat energy, specifically the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Glass is considered an inert material and does not burn; therefore, it does not release energy in the form of heat during combustion processes like other materials do. This characteristic is critical in waste management and energy recovery contexts since the energy content of waste materials influences the efficiency and feasibility of waste-to-energy conversion processes.

In contrast, other materials listed, including yard waste, plastic, and paper, possess varying BTU values due to their organic and combustible nature. These materials can be used as feedstocks for energy recovery because they release energy when burned. Yard waste typically has a moderate BTU value, plastic can have a high BTU value depending on its composition, and paper also contributes to energy recovery due to its organic and combustible properties. Therefore, glass distinctly stands out as a non-combustible material contributing no BTU value.