sorteringsstation

A sorteringsstation, or sorting station, is a facility in waste management designed to separate mixed waste streams into recyclable materials and other fractions for processing or disposal. They are commonly found at municipal waste facilities, transfer stations, or industrial sites and may operate as standalone buildings or integrate with higher-level recycling centers.

Sorting can be manual, mechanical, or a combination. Conveyors move waste through sorting lines where screens, magnets, eddy current separators, and optical sensors classify materials by material type, size, and color. Common outputs include paper and cardboard, plastics, glass, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and organic waste.

Materials are often baled or compacted for transport. Organic streams may be composted or anaerobically digested. Recovered recyclables reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills or energy recovery facilities. High contamination or improper source separation can lower recovery rates and require additional processing or disposal at downstream facilities.

Regulatory frameworks govern permits, emissions, safety, and reporting. Sorting stations are a key component of municipal recycling programs and are frequently paired with material recovery facilities (MRFs). They aim to improve resource efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts, odors, dust, and traffic associated with waste handling.