A study conducted in the Netherlands evaluates the efficacy of post-sorting mixed household waste compared to source-separation for plastic packaging recovery, identifying a significant tension between increased material volume and diminished feedstock quality.

一項在荷蘭進行的研究評估了後分揀混合家庭廢物與源頭分揀在塑膠包裝回收方面的成效，發現增加物料數量與原料品質下降之間存在顯著的緊張關係。

The investigation focused on the comparative analysis of polyolefin-rich waste streams, utilizing a single material recovery facility to ensure consistency in sorting technology. Data indicate that while bale purity—defined as the percentage of target polymer—remains comparable between source-separated and post-sorted pathways, the latter exhibits substantial qualitative degradation. Specifically, post-sorted materials demonstrate elevated levels of attached moisture and dirt (LAMD), as well as a higher diversity and abundance of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may necessitate more intensive purification processes.

該研究重點在於對富含聚烯烯的廢物流進行比較分析，利用單一的物料回收設施以確保分揀技術的一致性。數據顯示，雖然打包純度（定義為目標聚合物的百分比）在源頭分揀與後分揀路徑之間相當，但後者表現出顯著的品質退化。具體而言，後分揀物料顯示出較高的附著水分與污垢 (LAMD) 水平，以及更多樣且更豐富的揮發性有機化合物 (VOCs)，這可能需要更密集的淨化程序。

Furthermore, the inclusion of non-packaging items in post-sorted streams introduces critical contaminants. Analysis revealed elevated concentrations of restricted heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, and higher halogen levels, particularly chlorine, which can compromise the integrity of both mechanical and chemical recycling. The presence of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and lithium-ion batteries in post-sorted bales further introduces operational hazards, including increased fire risks at processing facilities.

此外，後分揀廢物流中包含非包裝物品，引入了關鍵污染物。分析顯示，受限重金屬（如鉛和鎘）的濃度較高，且鹵素水平（尤其是氯）較高，這可能會損害機械回收與化學回收的完整性。後分揀打包物中廢電電器設備 (WEEE) 和鋰離子電池的存在，進一步引入了操作風險，包括處理設施的火災風險增加。

Material flow modeling suggests that the implementation of post-sorting could substantially augment recycling feedstock in the EU27+3 and the United States, particularly in regions with low household participation. However, the capital expenditure required for such infrastructure is significant, estimated at €18 billion for the EU27+3 and US$50 billion for the USA. Consequently, the research posits that post-sorting should function as a supplementary mechanism rather than a replacement for source separation to maintain the high-grade quality required for food-contact applications.

物料流模型表明，實施後分揀可大幅增加歐盟 27+3 國家及美國的回收原料，尤其是在家庭參與率較低的地區。然而，此類基礎設施所需的資本支出十分巨大，預計歐盟 27+3 國家為 180 億歐元，美國則為 500 億美元。因此，研究認為後分揀應作為一種補充機制而非取代源頭分揀，以維持食品接觸應用所需的高品質。

Post-sorting increases the volume of recovered plastics but introduces chemical and physical contaminants that challenge regulatory compliance and material functionality.

後分揀增加了回收塑膠的數量，但引入了化學與物理污染物，對法規合規性與物料功能構成挑戰。