A method for recycling polymeric materials, including a mechanical separation step (B), a first density separation step (C), an intensive cleaning step (E), and a second density separation step (G, V) is described. Additional separation steps, such as a third density separation step (M, W), and optionally a fourth density separation step (G.sub.a, G.sub.b). Further less essential steps such as wetting (A), grinding (D), air flow separation (K), drying (I), electrostatic sorting (Z) and optional sorting (Z.sub.a) steps may also be carried out to achieve optimized and refined separation. Polymeric materials from refuse or crushed motor vehicles may thus be separated, and polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins may be recycled.