Abstract: A method for sterilization of pathogenic waste includes steps of introducing animal tissues, carcasses or parts, pathogenic waste, or by-products of slaughter or processing into an unpressurized vessel, adding NaOH and KOH in a ratio of about 2.2 to 2.3:1, adding water sufficient to create a 1.5 to 1.6 Molar solution, such that the tissue to water ratio is about 1:1.5, heating the vessel indirectly to near but below the boiling point of the solution, holding the temperature for about 16-20 hours, while continuously agitating the contents of the vessel, displacing the solution volume in the reaction vessel about every 2-3 minutes. Optimally, the tissue is introduced into the vessel first, then dry NaOH and KOH, and finally water. The end product is a homogenous, aqueous solution that is sterile, pathogen-free and suitable for land application or mixing directly into manure retention vessels, prior to land application of the mixture.