Sorteringscentres

Sorteringscentre, also known as sorting facilities or material recovery facilities (MRFs), are industrial plants where collected recyclable materials are processed. These facilities are crucial components of modern waste management systems, separating mixed recyclables into distinct streams for further processing and eventual reuse. The primary function of a sorteringscenter is to efficiently and effectively sort the various types of materials received from residential and commercial sources.

The process typically begins with the reception of collected recyclables. These materials are then often pre-sorted to remove large contaminants or items that could damage the sorting machinery. Following this, a series of mechanical and manual sorting stages take place. Mechanical equipment such as screens, magnets, and eddy current separators are employed to separate materials based on size, density, and magnetic properties. For instance, magnets remove ferrous metals like steel cans, while eddy current separators eject non-ferrous metals such as aluminum cans. Screens separate paper and cardboard from containers.

Manual sorting often complements the mechanical processes, where workers identify and remove residual contaminants or specific types of recyclables that automated systems may miss. This includes removing plastics that are not easily identified by machines or specific types of glass. After sorting, the separated materials are baled or otherwise prepared for transport to end-markets, where they are processed into new products. The efficiency of a sorteringscenter is measured by the purity of the sorted material streams and the volume of waste diverted from landfills.