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3/20/2018 China's limits on recycling being felt In Triangle, North Carolina I News & Observer Front loaders scoop this pile onto the first of a series of conveyor belts that will carry recyclables through the plant. Machines do some of the separating work; one is a series of rollers that carry plastic and metal containers and paper up an incline, allowing the containers to fall through openings on the way up while the paper gets pushed over the top into a separate bin. But much of the work is done with human hands, as workers stand along the conveyor belts sorting different types of plastics or pulling out materials that shouldn't be there. To decrease the amount of residue in its finished bales, Sonoco has slowed down the speed of the conveyor belts and increased the number of workers, McDonald said. The Sonoco plant runs about 20 hours a day, separating recycling from Raleigh, Cary, Durham and Orange and Chatham counties, as well as numerous private haulers. Carlos Acevedo sorts Incoming materials at the Sonoco Recycling facility in Raleigh. Casey Toth - ctoth@newsobse"er.com It was not long ago that people were encouraged to keep their paper and cardboard separate from the plastic, glass, steel and aluminum cans and bottles. In Raleigh, city workers would grab each homeowner's open - topped green bin and sort the recyclables into separate sections of the truck. http: /An .newsobserver.wm/ news /businessianicle2O5296704.htmi 5/10