Unlocking Value Through Basic Manual Sorting of Municipal Waste

Identifying the issue

Basic manual sorting of municipal waste can improve recycling rates by up to 5 percentage points. To achieve this, four obstacles must be addressed:  

• Waste variation and physical fatigue can lead to human error, reducing efficiency

• Automated sorting techniques may result in incomplete separation and cause wear and tear on equipment

• Different coloured plastics can cause misclassifications by optical sensors

• Large discrepancies found during quality checks can halt workflows and reduce throughput (material processing rate)

Key lessons learnt

Drawing on insights from various projects, this playbook outlines five key lessons for effective basic manual sorting of municipal waste:  

• Sorting plant viability is strongly tied to effective upstream supply and downstream demand  

• Apply stringent criteria when selecting a city for a sorting facility, considering factors such as infrastructure, commitment, and capability.

• Supplement waste collection with buyback centres to enhance operational efficiency

• Standardise plant operations to meet minimum specifications, improving facility quality

• Promote a positive contribution to the ecosystem by including waste pickers in the social framework

Critical factors for success

Drawing on the lessons learnt, this playbook identifies three critical success factors for an effective solution model:

• Strong offtake partnerships: Long-term offtake agreements are crucial for economic viability and reducing reliance on landfill disposal

• Context-appropriate technology: It is essential to use sorting equipment that suits the local context, waste composition, and the needs of the buyer network

• Streamlined procedures for rapid scaling: Comprehensive staff training in sorting facilities, including adherence to Standard Operating Procedures and safety measures (e.g. PPE), is vital for rapid scaling