a method and apparatus for treating refuse by non - combustibly shrinking plastics in the refuse . the trash is heated to a temperature of at least 250 ° to 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 .