Method of recycling waste ionomer membrane

A method of recycling a waste ionomer membrane comprising platinum, palladium and/or ruthenium disposed within an interior region of the waste ionomer membrane, the method comprising:

• (a) treating the waste ionomer membrane with a solution comprising an acid and an oxidant, wherein platinum, palladium and/or ruthenium is leached from the interior region of the waste ionomer membrane into the solution;
• and
• (b) separating the solution comprising leached platinum, palladium and/or ruthenium from the waste ionomer membrane which remains in solid form during the leaching process,
• wherein at least a portion of the platinum, palladium and/or ruthenium is in the form of a recombination catalyst disposed within the interior region of the waste ionomer membrane.