Abstract: In order to work up pyrotechnial material, I. pyrotechnical material A, where predominantly alkaline reaction products are formed, and pyrotechnical material B, where predominantly acidic reaction products are formed, are subjected to controlled combustion, II. the combined crude gases are cooled to a temperature below 400.degree. C, III. the combined crude gases are purified under dry conditions by first feeding them into a preliminary separator, coarse particles being separated off, and then feeding the crude gas via fine dust filters in order to separate off finely divided solids, and/or IV. the crude gas is optionally purified under wet conditions by first passing it through a rotary scrubber and then passing it via one or more absorption unit(s), and V. the pure gas is released as waste air.