a process and processing system are disclosed that provide for the processing of many forms of waste , such as medical waste , food waste disposable diapers or the like , that both reduces the volume of waste solids and neutralizes the biological activity of such waste , thereby facilitating the disposal of potentially unhealthy or hazardous materials . the process and system also provides for the removal of coating from the surfaces of plastic waste material or for the dissolution of water soluble polymeric or fibrous waste material . biological neutralization or , alternatively , coating removal or dissolution of water soluble waste , is accomplished by chopping the waste material and mixing it with a circulating stream of fluid such as water that is heated to a temperature which effects disinfection or sterilization or , alternatively coating removal or waste dissolution , in accordance with the needs of the user . the heated fluid is maintained substantially in a liquid form to facilitate intermixing with the waste material and absorption thereby in instances of the processing of fluid - absorbable materials . the processed waste can be filtered to remove solid particles having a size in excess of a predetermined amount , and the filtrate can be passed into municipal sewer systems . the filtered solids can be disposed of in a conventional manner , as by disposal in land fills , burial , or incineration .