the invention relates to a process for reprocessing plastic wastes , in which the plastic wastes filled into vessels are autoclaved as coherent , porous bundles with high water absorption capacity in a steam atmosphere at approximately 150 ° to 220 ° c ., preferably 165 ° to 190 ° c ., and melted by this means , at the end of the autoclaving process , the resulting bodies of molten plastic are at least partly dried by re - evaporating the water contained therein and are cooled .