Abstract: A method for retrieving active material from a galvanic cell is provided. The galvanic cell includes an active material, a support for the active material and a binder for bonding the active material and the support. The method includes the following steps: (a) crushing the cells, in particular under inert gas or in a vacuum, so that solid cell fragments are also formed, (b) heating the solid cell fragments up to the decomposition temperature (Tz), which is high enough to make the binder decompose so that it loses its binding properties, preferably under inert gas or in a vacuum, such that heat treated cell fragmented are formed, and (c) classifying the heat treated cell fragments, whereby (d) the classifying comprises air jet sieving and (e) the air jet sieving is carried out in such a way that the active material is separated from the support.