Sorteerimata

Sorteerimata is an Estonian adjective meaning "not sorted" or "unsorted." It is formed from the verb sorteerida (to sort) with the suffix -mata, and is used to describe objects, data, or materials that have not undergone sorting.

In data management and computing, sorteerimata data refers to a collection whose order is not determined by a key or criterion. Such data may be in its original input order and may require sorting to enable efficient searching, display, or analysis. Sorting algorithms transform sorteerimata lists into sorted lists, according to increasing or decreasing attribute values. In databases, unsorted records may be retrieved and then sorted with an ORDER BY clause or a dedicated sort routine.

In waste management, sorteerimata jäätmed denotes waste streams that have not been separated at the source. These are typically collected together and later sorted mechanically or manually at recycling facilities to recover materials such as metals, plastics, and paper.

The term can also appear in everyday language and in logistics or inventory contexts to describe items that have not been grouped or ordered by category, date, or other criteria. The opposite form is sorteeritud, meaning "sorted." Understanding whether data or materials are sorteerimata is important for planning processing steps, data quality, and resource allocation.