configurations a reciprocating ram mechanism 18 on a hinge 20 includes a pusher plate 22 which assists gravity in moving waste into the shredding mechanism by applying downward pressure to the waste containers in the hopper section 14 other forms of rams for example piston rams can be used a blower 24 draws air from the housing 8 through a high efficiency particulate air hepa filter 26 this maintains an inward flow of air through the intake opening 10 thereby preventing particles from being discharged through the intake opening an interlock not shown is preferably provided for preventing the introduction of raw waste material unless the blower 24 is drawing air through the intake opening sanitizing spray nozzles 27 introduce a sanitizing solution preferably sodium hypochlorite in water into the housing 8 intermittently to prevent the growth of colonies of microorganisms in the housing 8 and in the shredding apparatus 16 the heat treatment apparatus 4 comprises an inclined elongated enclosure 28 having an entrance opening 30 at its lower end for receiving shredded waste material from the shredding mechanism 16 and an exit opening 32 at its upper end for discharging processed waste material the elongated enclosure preferably has a cylindrical inner wall and a helical screw conveyor 34 extending through it for moving the shredded waste material from the entrance opening 30 to the exit opening 32 the helical screw conveyor preferably fits into the enclosure with a small clearance between its blade and the cylindrical inner wall of the enclosure it is rotated by a motor 36 through a chain 37 steam supplied through a.