Sorting
Early sorting of recyclable materials: glass and plastic bottles in
Poland.
The different types of materials must be sorted. This is done in a series of stages,
Next, automated machinery separates the recyclates by weight, splitting lighter paper and plastic from heavier glass and metal. Cardboard is removed from the mixed paper, and the most common types of plastic,
PET (#1) and
HDPE (#2), are collected. This separation is usually done by hand.
Finally, glass must be sorted by hand based on its color: brown, amber, green or clear.
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