A method is provided for recovering a catalytic element from a fuel cell
membrane electrode assembly. The method includes grinding the membrane
electrode assembly into a powder, extracting the catalytic element by
forming a slurry comprising the powder and an acid leachate adapted to
dissolve the catalytic element into a soluble salt, and separating the
slurry into a depleted powder and a supernatant containing the catalytic
element salt. The depleted powder is washed to remove any catalytic
element salt retained within pores in the depleted powder and the
catalytic element is purified from the salt.