Abstract: The described refuse-treating unit (1) comprises a treatment chamber (2) adapted to hold a predetermined amount of refuse (6), a sterilization apparatus acting on the treatment chamber and adapted to administer heat to the refuse amount (6) until said amount is at least partly converted to a sterilized mass in a pasty state, and a compacting device (7, 8, 9) adapted to press the refuse amount (6) at least partly in a pasty state together, and convert it to a compact block (10).