Dual Stream and Multi-Sort Recycling

Multi-sort or Dual stream recycling is a collection system which requires consumers to pre-sort their fibers (papers and cardboard) and mixed containers (metal, glass, plastic) into separate bins. The final sorting of materials is completed by a combination of machine and human labor.

Green Star Recycling provides a great infographic for us:

Advantages

• Increased quality control and less contamination of end product
• More materials are processed and recovered, less residue heading to landfills
• Potential higher market value of high quality materials
• Lower processing costs

Disadvantages

• Separate compartments on trucks reduce capacity and can ‘top-out’ prior to another
• Less convenient for consumers
• Potentially reduced participation, especially for those with space constraints
• Increased collection times 

Single Stream Recycling

Single stream recycling is a collection and processing system which allows co-mingling of recyclable materials. Once received at the Materials Recovery Facility, a specialized plant, the recyclables undergo cleaning, separating, and preparation before they are marketed to manufacturers for reuse.

Advanced Disposal, a hauler that operates in 17 states, explains the processing that occurs within a Materials Recovery Facility:

Advantages

• Reduced sorting effort by residents leads to increased participation 
• Reduced collection cost, single compartment trucks interchange between waste and recycling 
• Expands the list of acceptable recyclable materials

Disadvantages

• Initial capital cost for carts, collection vehicles, and processing facilities
• Contamination of raw materials can degrade quality of certain final products
• Unmarketable end products head to the landfill