A method for recycling anode and/or cathode catalyst from the catalyst coated membranes comprising proton exchange membrane, a continuous nonporous cross-linked polyelectrolyte multilayer coating comprising alternating layers of a polycation polymer and a polyanion polymer, an anode coating layer comprising anode catalyst particles, a cathode coating layer comprising cathode catalyst particles, and optionally a second continuous nonporous cross-linked polyelectrolyte multilayer coating between the second surface of the proton exchange membrane and the cathode coating layer. The cross-linked polyelectrolyte multilayer coating between the proton exchange membrane and the anode and/or cathode catalyst coating layer is dissolved in an aqueous solution with a pH of greater than 7. The catalyst coated membrane is delaminated, and the anode and/or cathode catalyst is recovered.