Abstract: A pre-wash process and apparatus for recycling polymer tubing contaminated with large amounts of organic matter, soil, and so forth. The pre-wash process includes the steps of sizing the contaminated polymer tubing into small pieces, conveying the polymer tubing on a first conveyor into a rotating wash trommel, washing the polymer tubing in the rotating wash trommel, conveying the polymer tubing on a second conveyor through a pre-rinse stage and then into a rotating rinse trommel, rinsing the polymer tubing in the rinse trommel, discharging the polymer tubing from the rinse trommel into a float/sink tank, passing the polymer tubing through the float/sink tank to a third conveyor, and conveying the polymer tubing into a suitable container for delivery to a final wash and pelletizing process. The wash trommel and rinse trommel each comprises a rotating cylinder with internal helical flighting that causes intense rolling and agitation of the polymer tubing.