Abstract: A process for the pyrolysis of waste materials, particularly medical waste, is provided. In the pyrolysis process, waste material is placed in a sealed container. The sealed container is placed in a load chamber and the waste material is subjected to pyrolysis. The process generates pyrolysis gases containing volatile organic compounds which are fed to an oxidation chamber containing tangential and radial air inlet ports. The pyrolysis gases are combusted and hot gases are produced in the oxidation chamber. In the operation, at least a portion of the generated heat and hot gases is fed to the load chamber which holds the pyrolysis container.