Abstract: In apparatus and method for waste treatment by pyrolysis, treated waste is flushed through a grid (18) to trap recyclable material in the pyrolysis chamber (24). Pyrolysis is carried out at a temperature of from 400-700° C. and off-gases are dissolved in a solution in scrubber (13) for disposal in a water course. Water is introduced into the chamber as superheated steam via pipes (5) so as both to flush away treated material and clean the chamber. Recyclable waste is separated from non-recyclable by treating non-recyclable waste by pyrolysis, and flushing treated non-recyclable waste away through liquid exhaust (8). Apparatus is made as a modular, free-standing unit and comprises plugs for connection to an electricity supply, to a water supply, and to a sewerage system (16) and has a chamber with a volume in the range 0.01-0.5m3.