The present invention relates to a waste processing apparatus, particularly an apparatus for processing used nappies. The waste processing apparatus includes a chamber including a first opening through which a portion of waste is received into the chamber; and a heating member adapted to provide heat to the portion of waste in the chamber. A method of processing waste, particularly a method of processing used nappies, is also disclosed.

A method for separating a fraction of super-absorbent polymers (SAP) from post-consumer absorbent sanitary products, said post-consumer absorbent sanitary products further including at least one cellulose fraction and one plastic fraction. The method includes the steps of sterilizing the post-consumer absorbent sanitary products and treating said post-consumer absorbent sanitary products by immersion in a bath with an aqueous solution containing at least one oxidizing compound. The oxidizing compound is preferably selected from the group consisting of sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate, potassium monopersulfate, and hydrogen peroxide; preferably hydrogen peroxide. The treatment by immersion allows cross-link cleavage and solubilizing of the SAP contained in said post-consumer absorbent sanitary products, and obtaining a suspension comprising i) a solid fraction and ii) a liquid fraction, wherein the liquid fraction comprises linear polyacrylate derived from the cross-link cleavage and solubilization of SAP.