A system and associated process are provided for recovering cadmium telluride (CdTe) that has plated onto components, such as components used in the manufacture of photovoltaic (PV) modules. The system includes a vacuum oven configured for maintaining a vacuum and being heated to a temperature effective for sublimating CdTe off of components placed within the oven. A collection member is disposed so that sublimated CdTe generated in the oven diffuses to the collection member. The collection member is maintained at a temperature effective for causing the sublimated CdTe to plate thereon. The collection member is subsequently processed to collect the plated CdTe.