By combining the principles of the well‐known processes of alkaline chlorination and electrolytic oxidation it has been demonstrated that it is possible to obtain more effective treatment of concentrated cyanide wastes. Rock salt is added to the waste solution and hypochlorite is produced by electrolysis in the solution. Complete destruction of cyanide and destruction of most of the cyanate formed results at the rate of about 0.1 lb cyanide/kwhr. Plating metals can be recovered by cathodic deposition. During the course of the electrolysis, the discharge of cadmium ions at the cathode results in a lowering of the pH until the optimum value for cyanate oxidation is reached. Safety hazards are minimized since there is never more than a slight excess of chlorine present. A graphite anode can be used with no overvoltage problems and with a long life expectancy.