A separation method allowing, from a mixture that contains at least a first family of components and a second family of components the components belonging to the first family to be separated from the components belonging to the second family, said method to this end comprising a step of creating a separating electric field, during which step a potential difference is applied between at least one first electrode and one second electrode together defining a gap so as to generate a separating electric field in said gap, a step of electrostatically charging the mixture, during which step electrostatic charges are conferred upon the components of the mixture by the triboelectric effect, which electrostatic charges have opposite polarities depending on whether the components belong to the first family or the second family, then a sorting step, during which the separating electric field is used to direct the charged components of the first family towards a first collector that captures said components of the first family, and to direct the charged components of the second family towards a second collector that is distinct from the first collector and that captures said components of the second family, wherein the electrostatic charging step comprises a selective retention phase, during which the mixture is placed inside an enclosure that is separated from the first and second electrodes and from the first and second collectors by a containment wall, and said mixture present in the enclosure is subjected to the triboelectric effect, in the presence of the separating electric field, and, depending on whether or not the level of electrostatic charge reached by some components corresponds to a charge level that is considered to be sufficient, said components are allowed to exit the enclosure so that said components can reach the collectors under the effect of the separating electric field, or, on the contrary, said components are temporarily prevented from exiting the enclosure, by retaining them by means of the containment wall, and by continuing the triboelectric effect on said components, until said components have acquired an electrostatic charge with a charge level that is considered to be sufficient to be able to be released from the enclosure towards the collectors.