A method is provided for sorting white paper from a stream of paper wherein
the concentration of white paper is less than the concentration of
non-white paper. The method includes identifying the white paper by
detecting the presence of an optical characteristic of the white paper as
the stream of paper is passed by a sensor. Then the white paper is ejected
from the stream of paper by controlling one or more actuators directed
against the white paper, and thereby separating the white paper from the
non-white paper. The method is particularly applicable to the sorting of
white paper during curbside recycling.
