Method and system for separating and sorting recyclable materials from mixed waste streams

A system for sorting recyclable waste, comprising means for separating high wet-density material from low wet-density material.

A system for sorting recyclable waste, comprising means for separating high dry-density material from low dry-density material.

A system for sorting recyclable waste, comprising:

• a trommel for sorting large items of recyclable material including newspaper, textiles and clothing from small items of recyclable material;
• a first conveyor having a first end for receiving said large items of recyclable material from said trommel;
• a second conveyor having a first end disposed beneath a second end of said first conveyor, wherein said first end of said second conveyor is set beneath said second end of said first conveyor at a distance defining a vertical gap between said first conveyor and said second conveyor, whereby said newspaper, textile and clothing are conducted through said gap and the balance of said large items of recyclable material is conveyed past said gap by said second conveyor.

A system for sorting recyclable waste including a plastic separator for separating thermoplastic materials into collectable fractions, said plastic separator comprising:

• a plurality of heated conveyor systems for providing heated adhering surfaces, whereby thermoplastics having a particular melting point range will adhere to a particular one of said plurality of heated conveyor systems;
• and
• a plurality of pinch rollers each opposing an associated one of said heated conveyor systems for causing said particular thermoplastics to adhere to said particular heated conveyor system.

A system for sorting recyclable waste including a plastic separator for separating thermoplastic materials into collectable fractions, said plastic separator comprising:

• a plurality of heated conveyor systems for providing heated adhering surfaces, whereby thermoplastics having a particular melting point range will adhere to a particular one of said plurality of heated conveyor systems;
• and
• a plurality of preheaters for preheating said thermoplastic materials prior to introduction to an associated one of said heater conveyor systems, wherein each of said preheaters heats said thermoplastic materials to a temperature approaching, but not exceeding the temperature of said associated heated conveyor system.