Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering organic and inorganic matter from waste material wherein the waste material is sterilized and solid organic matter becomes soft when subjected to heat and pressure. The process may be carried out by first, feeding the waste material into a perforated container (10) mounted within a closed chamber (14). Next, the waste material is agitated and subjected to heat and pressure which sterilizes it and softens the organic matter contained therein. After heating under pressure, the pressure may be suddenly released from the chamber (10) which forces the softened organic matter outwardly through the perforations (12) of the container, thus separating the organic matter from the solid inorganic matter.