Time and Motion Analyses of Manual Sorting Procedures at Materials Recovery Facilities

In an effort to analyze discrete manual sorting activi­ ties on processing lines, time and motion studies were recently performed at two Materials Recovery Facili­ ties. Using automatic and manual sorting techniques, glass and plastic bottles and steel and aluminum cans are processed at the facilities. The number of motions per minute per sorter was studied, as well as ergonomic characteristics of the sorting procedure itself. By per­ forming numerous studies at each sorting position, in­ formation was collected which has affected process de­ sign, line staffing and employee training. Sorting line design improvements, which were made as a direct result of the studies, have contributed to the maximiza­ tion of product quality at the facilities while minimizing the number of employees required to perform sorting activities.