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Separating paper from containers

 
From the bag splitter, the mixed recyclables move along a conveyor belt into a trommel screen. This is a huge drum with holes in it, like a giant washing machine drum.

Trommel screen – a rotating drum

trommel screen – click on image to view it full-size in a new browser window
The trommel screen turns 12 times a minute, and separates paper from containers and cardboard.
Trommel screen – full-size image

How it works: The turning of the drum creates centrifugal force, which throws the mixed recycling material away from the centre. The trommel (drum) has holes of two sizes, which allow different materials to fall through.

  • Containers flow through the smaller holes into the ballistic separator.
  • Paper passes through the larger holes for further sorting.
  • Cardboard goes straight through the trommel to be recycled.

Ballistic separator

The ballistic separator removes small pieces of paper from the containers. These containers – cans, plastic bottles and glass jars and bottles – will be separated next.

Further sorting of paper

All the paper collected is further sorted into card, newspapers and pamphlets, and mixed paper.

Find out how paper is further sorted
Next stage: separating cans 
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