In newly industrialized countries and Third World countries, biogenic waste frequently constitutes a threat to ground water due to its being contaminated with bacteria and germs. In order to decontaminate such biogenic waste, one or more closable sanitizing chambers are fitted with open containers that are filled with the biogenic waste. The sanitizing chambers are closed, and hot waste gases (80° C. to 140° C.) are guided through the sanitizing chambers until germs and bacteria in the biogenic waste are killed. The sanitizing of biogenic waste eliminates the waste as a source of diseases and ground water contamination. The invention is suitable for decentralized locations, for example, in Third World countries or newly industrialized countries or places with stand-alone grids. The invention can have either a stationary or a mobile design.
