Abstract: A process for the purification of flue gas generated during the combustion of waste materials has a first embodiment wherein soluble heavy metals are precipitated and recovered in a compact form and wherein the soluble heavy metal-free extraction residue is returned to the combustion system where noxious organic substances are pyrolyzed. In another embodiment, substantially all of the heavy metals from the flue gas are collected in a single solid residue, which residue may be thermally treated to recover mercury and the treated residues subsequently returned to the combustion system wherein noxious organic substances are pyrolyzed or combined in a hazardous waste stabilizing substance.