A method and an apparatus for processing wood wastes and producing valuable products that are safe and have economic value is disclosed. The apparatus includes a continuous converter (3) for a feed material that includes wood wastes containing contaminants. The continuous converter includes a reaction chamber (5) for producing a solid carbon-containing product, a gas product, and optionally a liquid oil product and a separate water-based condensate product in the chamber, via pyrolysis or other reaction mechanisms.