Abstract: A garbage treatment plant and a recycling method for use by a community having a garbage pick up by garbage trucks, the method comprising the steps of collecting the food garbage and non food garbage in separate containers, transporting the food garbage and non food garbage to a garbage treatment plant wherein the food garbage is ground and heated to a temperature sufficient to kill pathogenic bacteria therein, and separating recyclable material from the non food garbage. The method is preferably practiced on a relatively small local scale and provides for a maximum of recyclable material and valuable by-products from the treated food garbage.