PURPOSE: To inexpensively recover a platinum group element from a waste platinum type catalyst by simple operation in a high yield by extracting the element by dissolution in hydrochloric acid in the presence of chlorine and by reducing the chloride of the element in the extracting soln. with a reducing gas.

CONSTITUTION: A platinum group element is inexpensively recovered from a waste platinum type catalyst having the element supported on the carrier by the following method in a high yield. The element in the catalyst is extracted by dissolution in hydrohloric acid in the presence of chlorine. By blowing a reducing gas such as gaseous CO or gaseous H2 into the extracting soln., the dissolved chloride of the platinum group element is reduced to deposit the metallic platinum group element. The element is recovered, and the remaining mother liquor is repeatedly used as hydrochloric acid in said dissolving and extracting stage.