a method and apparatus for treating refuse by non - combustibly shrinking polyfoam plastics in the refuse . the trash is heated at a temperature between 250 ° and 500 ° for a minimum period of time . a rotatable chamber heats the refuse and transports the refuse for the minimum period of time . an operator controls the rate of rotation of the chamber and thus the time of heating in accordance with the moisture content of the refuse . a steam / air mixture used as a heat medium serves to kill bacteria in the refuse in addition to shrinking . and drying the refuse .