Abstract: A method for destroying organic explosives, such as RDX and HMX, by hydroolysis comprises contacting liquors containing waste explosive, produced in the manufacture and processing of the explosives, with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst, such as nickel-on-kieselguhr, for a sufficient period to destroy the explosives. The method is simple and economic and destroys the explosives, which are considered to be toxic, hazardous and non-biodegradable in soil and hence are not amenable to landfill or discharge into rivers etc., thereby eliminating or reducing the attendant pollution problems to acceptable levels.