esilajittelu
Esilajittelu, or pre-sorting, refers to the preliminary separation of mixed materials to divide waste streams or raw materials before the main processing stage. In waste management, esilajittelu aims to remove non-target materials and to separate items into defined fractions such as biowaste, paper and cardboard, plastics, metals, glass, and residual waste, so that recycling, composting, or energy recovery processes can operate more efficiently and produce higher-quality outputs. It can occur at the source (household or workplace) or at processing facilities.
Methods include manual sorting and mechanical technologies: magnetic separation for ferrous metals, eddy-current separation for non-ferrous
Benefits include higher recycling rates and material purity, lower contamination of recyclables, reduced energy and operational
Challenges involve capital investment for equipment and space; need for clear guidelines and public participation; potential
In Finland, esilajittelu is commonly linked to municipal waste management and packaging/recycling streams, aligning with EU