This document provides a method for peeling a composite by immersing it in a stripping solution, wherein the composite comprises a
metal substrate and a
coating applied to one or both sides of the
metal substrate, wherein the
coating comprises a
polymer binder, and wherein the
polymer binder comprises an aqueous
copolymer. Using a stripping solution containing a strong alkali allows for complete peeling of the composite in a highly efficient and extremely fast manner. Furthermore, the stripping method disclosed herein avoids complex separation processes,
contamination and
corrosion of the
metal substrate, and enables excellent
material recovery. This document also discloses an application of a method for stripping electrodes from a battery.