A method for the treatment of polymeric and/or organic waste using a heat-resistant process container provided with a valve and filled with prepared waste and which is closed in a gas-tight manner. The container is moved with the waste into a process furnace for thermal treatment. The waste is degassed therein via the valve during the thermal treatment, and immediately after degassing, the heated process container is moved from the process furnace into a cooling chamber in which the residual heat is removed from the process container and stored in a thermal storage. After cooling, the process container is removed from the cooling chamber and the contents of the process container are emptied into a separating device.