TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred process: hydroxyl radicals are generated by heating the stream preferably to more than 180degreesF, or by irradiating it with electromagnetic radiation of wavelength 180-310 nm. The process further comprises determining the extent of PVA destruction by a colorimetric assay after step (b), e.g. by using an iodine solution or spectrophotometric measurement at an absorption maximum of 690 nm. The oxidizing agent used is hydrogen peroxide, preferably added to an concentration of 0.05-20vol% or amount 1000-2000 mg. per l. per 10,000 mg. per l. PVA solution. The waste stream contains solid PVA which is dissolved by heating before adding the oxidizing agent, after which the stream is filtered. The alternative water-soluble polymeric materials treated consist of sodium- or ammonium polyacrylate, or polymaleic acid. Optionally, the treated waste stream is neutralized by adding a base reagent to pH 6.0-10.0, and/or depleting the organic acids after step (c) using a fixe d media reactor or activated sludge process. EXAMPLE - Waste solid water-soluble polymer material was placed into a solution vessel in an aqueous solution, preferably such that the material was added to water to form a solution containing 0.5-5wt% (preferably 0.5-2.5wt%) polymer material. The vessel contained enough pressure to allow heating of the solution to more than 212degreesF (preferably 220-250degreesF), such that these parameters are automatically controlled and monitored. The solution was held at a designated temperature for a predetermined amount of time to allow the polymer material garments and other articles to dissolve, and assure complete sterilization of the solution. After solubilization, the solution was transferred to a filter system containing strainers for the undissolved polymers, which will ultimately be dissolved due to abrasion and turbulence created by recirculation of the material solution. After filtration, the solution was transferred to an air-cooled heat exchanger to cool the solution, then returned to ambient pressure at 150-200degreesF. The filtered and cooled solution was transferred to the photochemical reaction vessel, and hydrogen peroxide was supplied at an injection rate of 100 ml. per 10 gallons of solution. The reactor had an array of tubes having core elements that generated ultraviolet radiation of wavelength 185-310 nm. (preferably 185-250 nm.) that photolyzed hydrogen peroxide into hydroxyl free radicals forming an organic acid waste stream comprising water and acetic acid.