Unveiling the Secrets of Waste Plants: Sorting Through Unsorted Recyclables

Recycling plants face challenges in processing single-stream recyclables due to contamination and the decrease in demand for recyclables. At a recycling plant in Los Angeles, items are sorted through a series of conveyor belts and robotic arms to remove contaminants and separate different materials. Plastic bags are particularly problematic due to their tendency to wrap around machinery. Despite efforts, only about a quarter of the material that enters the facility can be recycled. The recycling industry emphasizes the need to reduce plastic production and increase recyclability to address the growing plastic pollution problem.