Dielectric heating technologies (microwave and radio-frequency, RF) bring unique capabilities to the processing of hazardous wastes. Potential opportunities for using these techniques can be described by classifying and matching waste streams to the particular features of dielectric heating. Microwave and RF applications for processing hazardous waste are at various stages of development and include: solvent recovery, regeneration of activated carbon, pyrolysis of rubber tires, soil remediation, and disinfection of hospital wastes. Other solutions to environmental problems can include the replacement of conventional fossil-fired processes (eg, RF-assisted post-baking of biscuits) and microwave heating of catalyst substrate materil for automotive emission control. Examples of dielectric heating systems that are processing hazardous waste are used to illustrate the benefits of these technologies and to characterize future opportunities.