Abstract: A method for disposing of tracer bullets having in a steel bullet a pyrotnic material containing strontium nitrate, magnesium, strontium peroxide, polyvinyl chloride, calcium resinate, barium peroxide, oxamide, zinc stearate, polyethylene, strontium oxalate and lead dioxide, with strontium nitrate and magnesium accounting for about sixty percent of the total material. The pyrotechnic material is removed from the steel bullet by drilling and the steel is used as scrap. Strontium nitrate is first removed from the material by dissolving in cold water, and the water solution of strontium nitrate is evaporated to reclaim the strontium nitrate. The remaining materials are given successive washes in hot water, isopropyl alcohol and methylene chloride to remove all the other materials except magnesium. The magnesium is dried and reclaimed.