The disclosure provides a method for alcoholysis of a polycarbonate-containing composition comprising a polycarbonate and a component comprising a phosphorus-containing flame retardant, an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, or a combination of the phosphorus-containing flame retardant and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. The method comprises contacting the composition with a solvent that forms a solution or a filterable suspension of the component but not the polycarbonate; separating the solution or the filterable suspension from the polycarbonate; and heating the polycarbonate in the presence of an alcohol and a catalyst at a temperature from 70° C. to 200° C., and a pressure from 5 mbar to 40 bar for a time sufficient to depolymerize the polycarbonate and produce a dihydroxy aromatic compound and a dialkyl carbonate.