Abstract: A method and an apparatus for separating shredded particles, for instance particles of used beverage cans, into respective fractions that contain greater amounts of one of a plurality of alloys from which the cans have been made. The method includes screening the shredded material to provide particles having a desired particle size, and gravimetrically separating the screened particles into a plurality of groups based upon the mass of the particles. The heaviest bulk density group of particles is selected for further processing and is first preferably passed through a flattening device to flatten the particles, which are then conveyed through a varying magnetic field provided by a linear induction motor so that the particles containing higher concentrations of higher conductivity alloys can be further separated from particles of alloys having lower electrical conductivities.