Cost Evaluation of Automated and Manual Post-Consumer Plastic Bottle SortingSystems

摘要

The study compares the costs to sort mixed bales of post-consumer plastic at twoMagnetic Separation System facilities with costs developed from a study at a manual sorting facility. Three months of historical operating data was provided by each facility. This data, along with data obtained from three-day site visits to each facility, provided the basis for the economic analysis and comparison among the three facilities. Both facilities utilizing the automated sorting system produced material at lower costs than the manual sorting facility, based on overall sorting costs per pound of material generated for sale.