Abstract: The method is characterised in that the thermal energy necessary for thermolysis of the waste carried out in the absence of air is provided by a heating mass, comprising steel balls (9), running in the furnace (1) co-currently with the waste. The method may be applied to household waste, sewage work residues, hospital wastes, wastes of risk to the agro-food industry and in a general manner to all wastes containing organic matter be it of urban, agricultural or industrial origin.