There is provided an apparatus (2) for the reduction of organic waste (4) in which the apparatus (2) comprises a conveyor (32, 40, 128) to move the waste (4) within the apparatus (2). There is also provided a first chamber (10) comprising weighing means to determine a weight of the waste and purging means to purge the apparatus of oxygen. A second chamber (12) comprises reduction means to treat, sterilize and reduce the waste for a first period of time and a third chamber comprises cooling means to cool the reduced and sterilized waste for a second period of time. There is also provided sealing means (18, 34, 36) to seal each of the first (10), second (12) and third (14) chambers from the other chambers and from exterior of the apparatus when in use.