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Further sorting of plastic

 
After glass is removed by the disc screen, only plastic containers remain from the original mixed recyclables.

Plastic automated sorting

plastic 'autosort' – click on image to view it full-size in a new browser window
The plastic bottles go through a machine, where infrared light shines onto the conveyor. A sensor detects the wavelengths in the reflected light, identifying the type of plastic.
Plastic 'autosort' – full-size image

The sensor triggers a jet of air to hit the plastic bottle and remove it from the conveyor. It separates out two different type of plastic:

  • High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) – for example milk bottles, washing up bottles
  • Polyethylene Terphalate (PET) – for example fizzy drinks bottles.

Baling

In the final stage of the MRF process, all the different materials stored in their separate bunkers will be baled for easy transportation.

Related: how paper is sorted 
Final stage: baling 
Previous stage: separating glass and plastic 

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