How do recycling factories deal with the problem of people putting things in the wrong bins?
In: Other
Oooh finally my expertise. First, lots of sorting equipment using lasers, magnets, air, etc. High tech stuff. Robotic sorting is also just starting to take off. Also, people standing along the conveyors pulling out the worst stuff (plastic bags). Awful job and they worry everyday about being stuck with hypodermic needles.
Finally, after everything is sorted and baled, they have people walk around the outside of the bale and pull off visible contaminants. This is purely for marketing.
Bales are also inspected for moisture using a moisture meter (paper mostly). Too wet paper won’t sell.
PS: plastic recycling is mostly bunk. Plastic packaging companies aren’t even buying back recyclables, they prefer to use cheap virgin oil. Asshats!
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