Abstract: The invention concerns a sterilization container which is preferably intended for hospital waste and is formed by a bin (1) having a filler opening, which is delimited by the upper edge of the side wall (5) of the bin and is opposite the base (4) thereof, and a lid (2) for covering the filler opening. The bin (1), and possibly also the lid (2), consists of a tough plastics material which is permeable to microwaves and is still resistant to elongation above the boiling point of water. A pressure-tight sealing arrangement (20), disposed between the bin (1) and the lid (2), and a closure arrangement (3, 29), for securing the lid (2) on the bin (1) against the effect of internal pressure in the bin (1), ensure that the contaminated waste collected in this waste-collection container can be sterilized when the container has been hermetically closed and the waste has been moistened by microwave radiation and then disposed of in the sterile state.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the sterilization of refuse, in particular hospital refuse, is described, according to which plastic containers filled with the refuse are first introduced into a lock chamber in which a preparatory conveyor belt is arranged and thereafter the entire charge of the lock chamber is transferred to a sterilization chamber in which a main conveyor belt is arranged. The sterilization chamber is then hermetically sealed and injection needles are stuck into the respective containers to inject water and/or disinfectant into the interior of the respective plastic containers. The refuse is then treated with microwave energy and subsequently the charge in the sterilization chamber discharged via the discharge opening. With the method and the apparatus according to the invention it is always ensured that the refuse in the interior of the plastic containers is impregnated in adequate manner with water or a disinfectant, this being done before or during the microwave irradiation.