Automatic waste sorting using shortwave infrared hyperspectral imaging system

Hyperspectral images provide significant information about the chemical constituents of materials and increased classification and recognition capability, due to the high content of spectral information they contain. Therefore, hyperspectral imaging has found use in many application areas, including recycling. The spectra of paper, cardboards, glass, metal and plastics can be measured and used for their identification, and consequently sorting, due to different chemical properties. In this study, various recycling material samples are successfully sorted by using shortwave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral imaging system and the proposed algorithms. The application is the most comprehensive in terms of different recycling classes in hyperspectral imaging literature.