How to Sort Plastic with Sixth-Generation Innovative Color Sorters

The color sorter from Metra is a machine that helps quickly and efficiently prepare plastic for recycling. It’s a compact yet powerful device equipped with AI and advanced sensors. In just minutes, it can sort large volumes of material by shape, size, type, and color.

This optimizes and speeds up the workflow. Plus, by supporting government and community environmental initiatives, businesses can cut down on tax expenses.

It’s worth noting that this machine can also sort grain — it was originally developed for that purpose. This means the same device can be used across different areas of production. Let’s break it down.

Advantages of Using Metra Equipment

Plastic is one of the most debated materials on the planet.

On one hand, it’s versatile, affordable, flexible, and durable. Some types are also highly resistant and can handle prolonged contact with water or harsh environments, making them suitable for heavy industry.

On the other hand, worn-out plastic products pose serious environmental issues. They can’t just be tossed in the trash or burned. Any polymer or fragment needs proper disposal or recycling. Otherwise, this man-made waste becomes a slow killer of nature. For instance, the ocean already holds one ton of plastic for every three tons of fish, and by 2050, plastic will outweigh fish. This is just one statistic from a single study.

The U.S. puts a lot of effort into preserving the environment. A sixth-generation color sorter is an investment that helps your business comply with regulations and save:

The machine analyzes the materials based on:

• Time — The machine operates independently. Organizing tasks yourself is much simpler and faster than constantly outsourcing and monitoring the process.
• Labor and Resources — One machine can handle different materials with consistent quality.
• Electricity — Metra machines use 2.5 to 3 times less power than similar models while maintaining the same productivity. This is thanks to technological upgrades in the design.

What’s Inside the Color Sorter — And Why It Matters

Sixth-generation sorting machines are built on optical and photodiode technologies paired with AI. High-resolution cameras capture incoming materials. Built-in algorithms instantly recognize what’s being processed.

• Material Type — Color sorters are equipped with sensors that detect even the smallest fragments and determine their chemical composition. This is crucial for sorting materials, whether it’s plastic, glass, grain, or nuts.

When it comes to plastic, six main types are the most common:

• PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) — The plastic we use daily. Water bottles, for example, are made from this polymer.
• LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) — Flexible and durable, LDPE is essential for wraps and bags. Mulch film, widely used in agriculture, is made from this material. In some agricultural sectors, mulch makes up 50% of plastic waste.
• HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) — A sturdy material used for pipes, irrigation systems, containers, and films.
• EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) — Commonly used for greenhouse films.
• PP (Polypropylene) — A durable material resistant to temperature swings.
• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) — Handles heavy loads, making it ideal for plumbing, drainage systems, and window frames.
• Color — Automatic color detection is another key feature. For plastic, color matters because only transparent and white plastics can be recycled repeatedly. Black, blue, green, and other colors require different handling.

The machine sorts each color into separate bins during processing.

• Size and Texture — Mechanical components separate plastic waste by size and texture. This is important because some materials, though made from the same polymer, have different technical properties. For instance, greenhouse film and field cover film require different recycling methods.
• Additional Parameters — AI lets the machine recognize and separate new or unusual materials used in plastic products.

Bottom line

These sixth-gen color sorters are redefining precision sorting. They catch the tiniest details that traditional mechanical systems can’t, using around 30 built-in programs to handle multiple tasks at once. The result? Plastics are prepped for recycling faster and with greater accuracy than ever.

In the short term, this tech saves businesses money by lowering secondary material costs and improving efficiency. Long term? It’s part of a broader movement to reduce harmful waste and lessen the environmental footprint of industries worldwide.

And who knows — maybe the products you create from recycled plastic will end up driving the next big wave in sustainable business innovation.