How does single-stream recycling work?

Question

I'm curious how aluminum is separated from paper and plastic in single-stream recycling plants but haven't been able to locate any info. Any recycling brainiacs out there?

Answer 1

Hi there,

Everything is put in a single bin, at the plant items are either separated by machine or by human.  There are a number of different sorting machines out there, some classify by weight, some by magnetism, the more advanced ones sort by shooting a laser at the product to determine what it is and divert it down a specialized conveyor belt with a burst of air or sometimes they are manually diverted.

For the most part however sorting is done manually by either volunteers, the individuals picking up the recyclables (curb side) or back at the recycling plant.

The recycling center that I volunteer at requires most items to be pre-classified before drop off, however the company that buys our pop cans and PETE (#1), and HDPE (#2) plastics accepts all of those items in a single large recycling container.