A plastic sorting machine is an automated system that separates different types of plastics (PET, HDPE, PVC, etc.) based on material properties. It is essential for:
✅ Recycling plants (improving
plastic purity)
✅ Waste management facilities (reducing landfill waste)
✅ Plastic manufacturing (ensuring high-quality recycled material)
Higher sorting accuracy (up to 99%)
Reduced labor costs (vs. manual sorting)
Increased recycling efficiency
Technology | How It Works | Best For |
---|---|---|
Near-Infrared (NIR) | Detects plastic polymer type using infrared light | PET, HDPE, PP |
X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) | Identifies hazardous additives (e.g., chlorine in PVC) | PVC, flame-retardant plastics |
AI Vision Sorting | Uses cameras + AI to recognize color, shape, and texture | Mixed-color plastics |
Electrostatic Separation | Separates plastics based on electrical conductivity | Films, mixed plastics |
Feeding → Plastic waste enters the system via conveyor belt.
Detection → Sensors scan and identify plastic types.
Separation → Air jets or mechanical arms eject selected materials.
Collection → Sorted plastics are gathered in separate bins.
Accuracy: 95-99%
Speed: Up to 4 tons/hour
Best for: Clear & colored bottles
Accuracy: 90-98%
Speed: 2-6 tons/hour
Best for: Mixed plastic waste
Accuracy: 85-92%
Speed: 1-3 tons/hour
Best for: Thin films & packaging
Factor | Consideration |
---|---|
Material Type | PET, HDPE, PVC, or mixed plastics? |
Throughput | 1 ton/hour or 10+ tons/hour? |
Purity Requirement | 90% or 99%+ sorted accuracy? |
Budget | 200,000+ for advanced AI systems |
Basic NIR Sorter: 150,000
AI-Powered Optical Sorter: 300,000
Electrostatic Separator: 80,000
✔ Daily: Clean sensors and check air nozzles
✔ Weekly: Calibrate detection systems
✔ Monthly: Inspect conveyor belts and ejection mechanisms
Problem | Solution |
---|---|
Low sorting accuracy | Clean/replace sensors |
Jamming | Adjust conveyor speed |
False ejections | Recalibrate AI or NIR system |
Robotic Sorting Arms → More flexible than air-jet systems
Hyperspectral Imaging → Detects microplastics & contaminants
Blockchain Tracking → Ensures transparency in recycling chains