Methods and systems are provided for recovering an organic solvent from a waste sludge generated during formation of a polyarylene sulfide. Methods include combining the waste sludge with an anti-solvent to create a dispersion, which includes a solid phase that includes a substantial portion of the impurities of the polyarylene sulfide formation and a liquid phase that contains the anti-solvent and organic solvent employed during formation of the polyarylene sulfide. The liquid phase is separated from the solid phase and then subjected to a distillation process to separate the organic solvent from the anti-solvent. Methods can also include forming the polyarylene sulfide by a polymerization process and thereafter purifying a slurry of the polyarylene sulfide. A liquid washing product is formed as a result of the purification process, which can be subjected to a distillation process that forms an organic solvent-rich stream and the waste sludge.