Abstract: Method and system for mechanical separation of materials from discarded fluorescent light tubes being broken up. The system comprises a fan-driven exhaust air system which is designed for air transportation and separation of material fragments and which is supplied with air from three separating towers (8, 8', 8"). A mill (2) which breaks up the fluorescent light tubes delivers fluorescent light tube material to a first separating tower (8) where larger material fragments are separated off, while smaller material fragments and particles leave the tower together with the outflowing air. A screen (22) divides the coarse fraction from the tower into glass fragments and metal fragments. The metal fragments from the screen are made to pass through a metal crusher (28) which is connected to a second separating tower (8'). A magnetic separator (34) separates off magnetic material from a conveyor (32) for the glass fragments and metal fragments.