This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for reclaiming gypsum from waste paper laminated gypsum wallboard. The invention is directed to an apparatus that is useful for separating paper laminate from gypsum wallboard comprising: a roller and a plate spatially disposed from the roller. The aperture between the roller and the plate is sized to be slightly less than the wallboard thickness thereby creating a fracturing action between the gypsum and the paper laminate. The first roller can be driven by a power source. A roller can be substituted for the plate and can be undriven or driven independently of the first roller.