Central sorting and recovery of MSW recyclable materials: A review of technological state-of-the-art, cases, practice and implications for materials recycling

• Published in: Journal of environmental management Vol. 156; pp. 181 - 199
• Main Authors: Cimpan, Ciprian, Maul, Anja, Jansen, Michael, Pretz, Thomas, Wenzel, Henrik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2015; Academic Press Ltd
• Subjects: Central sorting; Conservation of Natural Resources - methods; Energy-Generating Resources; Environmental management; Europe; Humans; Landfill; Material recovery efficiency; Materials recovery facilities; Municipal solid waste; North America; Packaging waste sorting; Recycling; Recycling - methods; Refuse Disposal - methods; Single stream collection; Technology; Waste materials; North America; Europe; United States > US; Single stream collection; Material recovery efficiency; Central sorting; Materials recovery facilities; Packaging waste sorting
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.03.025

Today's waste regulation in the EU comprises stringent material recovery targets and calls for comprehensive programs in order to achieve them. A similar movement is seen in the US where more and more states and communities commit to high diversion rates from landfills. The present paper reviews scientific literature, case studies and results from pilot projects, on the topic of central sorting of recyclable materials commonly found in waste from households. The study contributes, inter alia, with background understanding on the development of materials recovery, both in a historical and geographical perspective. Physical processing and sorting technology has reached a high level of maturity, and many quality issues linked to cross-contamination by commingling have been successfully addressed to date. New sorting plants tend to benefit from economies of scale, and innovations in automation and process control, which are targeted at curtailing process inefficiencies shown by operational practice. Technology developed for the sorting of commingled recyclables from separate collection is also being successfully used to upgrade residual MSW processing plants. The strongest motivation for central sorting of residual MSW is found for areas where source separation and separate collection is difficult, such as urban agglomerations, and can in such areas contribute to increasing recycling rates, either complementary to- or as a substitute for source separation of certain materials, such as plastics and metals. •The study reviews central sorting of commingled recyclable materials and mixed MSW.•State-of-the-art is large capacity, with high levels of automation and process control.•Output material quality is determined by technology level and operational practice.•Residual MSW sorting is technically feasible, can increase recycling in urban areas.