The Cutting Edge: COMPUTING / TECHNOLOGY / INNOVATION : New Machine Sorts Out the Problem of Plastics : Recycling: The latest infrared and X-ray technologies now help separate trash.
A recycling organization today plans to introduce a machine that brings to bear the latest in infrared, X-ray sensors and advanced computer technology on the prosaic problem of sorting garbage.
Developed by Magnetic Separation Systems of Nashville, Tenn., the $1-million machine can determine the density, color and type of each plastic as containers speed along on a conveyor belt, and then separate them into nine categories.
The Garten Foundation of Salem, Ore., a nonprofit company that offers vocational training in recycling and other fields for people with disabilities, will be first to use the system, under the sponsorship of the American Plastics Council.
The machine and others that are similar could radically alter the economics of recycling and make it feasible to recycle many materials that currently cannot be used again.
“The plastics industry wants to see as many types of plastics recycled as there are sustainable markets for them,” said Red Cavaney, chief executive of the American Plastics Council.
“Now residents and businesses can include more types of plastics in their recycling programs, and this facility is able to sort and market them to plastics reclaimers locally and nationally.”
The machine uses four infrared, X-ray and vision sensors to determine the type of plastic.
A computer keeps track of the information as the plastics continue along the conveyor belt and separates the items into nine different categories.
The sorted plastics are then bundled and shipped out to recyclers and manufacturers for processing. The whole process has a 99% accuracy rate.
Garten Foundation recycling coordinator John Matthews said the addition of the plastics-sorting system will allow the company to successfully separate different plastics for recyclers for the first time.
The company is the first in the state to employ a comprehensive system for sorting plastics, Matthews said.
It will help eliminate the need for specialized trucks that have to gather different types of plastics from citizens, who often do not know how to properly sort them.
Magnetic Separation Systems began working on its BottleSort system in early 1993 to help develop a more specialized method of sorting plastics ranging from translucent milk bottles to opaque yogurt containers, Marketing Director Derek Vaughan said.
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Numerous systems have since been created, with prices running from about $100,000 to $700,000, depending on how big and specialized a company’s needs are, Vaughan said.
Though MSS does not have any orders yet, Vaughan is confident that the Garten Foundation demonstration will spark sales.
“Once operating experiences prove successful, other systems will be purchased,” Vaughan said.
Still, sales of the system are not likely to take off until there is a robust market for recycled plastic, which is currently used in making benches and for building materials.
