Fluorescence-based rapid assessment of the biological stability of landfilled municipal solid waste

► Water-extractable organic matter (WEOM) of landfilled MSW was characterized by EEM. ► FRI and PARAFAC analysis of EEMs showed humic- and protein-like peaks in WEOM. ► Increasing the age reduced the WEOM, but increased its aromaticity and stability. ► C1/C3 ratio from PARAFAC is a reliable parameter in relation to waste stability. ► EEM-PARAFAC/FRI enabled a rapid assessment of stability of landfilled MSW.