A method for recycling organic waste material containing phosphorus oxides and metal oxides is particularly suited for recycling sewage sludge. The waste materials are mixed with chlorine carriers and then heat-treated at an air ratio of 0.85≦λ≦1.6 and at least partially oxidized. The metal chlorides thus formed are drawn off and recovered and the fraction remaining after the metal chlorides have been drawn off is subjected to reduction in order to obtain elemental phosphorus.