Air Knife Waste Separation

In today’s fast-paced recycling environment, removing low-value, lightweight contaminants efficiently and effectively is critical to improving material purity, reducing manual labour, and increasing the overall value of your recovered output. The Impact Airknife System—also known as a windsifter or windshifter—is a compact yet powerful solution designed to do just that.

Installed at a conveyor junction, this high-performance air separation unit delivers targeted removal of lightweight, hard-to-pick materials such as film, foil, paper, and thin plastics, which can otherwise compromise the quality of higher-value recyclables.

How It Works

At the core of the system is a precision-controlled high-velocity airstream, generated by an input air volume channeled through a fully adjustable nozzle. As mixed materials fall through the airstream, lighter fractions are deflected away, captured by a strategically positioned extraction hood, and conveyed to a separate stream for collection or disposal.

Heavier, high-value materials, such as glass, metals, aggregates, and dense plastics, remain unaffected by the airflow and continue their path onto the conveyor below—allowing for uninterrupted processing and improved stream quality.

The entire system is enclosed in a single, integrated unit, offering clean operation, minimal dust escape, and easy integration into existing material recovery lines.

Key Advantages for Waste Operators

Boosts material value – By separating out low-grade, lightweight contaminants, the Airknife helps produce a cleaner, more profitable end product—ideal for resale or downstream processing.

Reduces manual sorting – Removes unpickable or inefficient-to-sort items automatically, helping to reduce labour dependency, improve health and safety, and cut operational costs.

Maximises throughput with minimal downtime – Designed for continuous, high-volume operation, the Airknife enhances system flow without causing bottlenecks—keeping your MRF or C&D line running at full capacity.

Flexible & adaptable – Suitable for a wide range of applications including comingled domestic recyclables, construction & demolition (C&D) waste, MRFs, energy-from-waste front ends, and more.

Compact, self-contained design – Housed in a single enclosure with integrated controls and airflow management, the unit is quick to install, easy to maintain, and fits seamlessly into tight plant layouts.

Adjustable for precise separation – Fine-tune the airflow and nozzle position to optimise separation based on your material type, particle size, and desired output—giving you maximum control over stream purity.

Applications Across Recycling Sectors

The Impact Airknife System is already delivering results in:

• Municipal recycling (MRFs)
• Dry Mixed Recycling (DMR)
• Construction & demolition (C&D) recycling
• Waste-to-energy pre-sorting lines
• Plastic and glass recovery operations

Wherever lightweight contamination is reducing the value of your output, the Airknife provides a proven, cost-effective upgrade to your process.

Take Control of Contamination—Elevate Your Output

If you’re looking to reduce reject rates, increase recovery values, and streamline your sorting process, the Impact Airknife System delivers measurable performance gains with minimal operational complexity.

Contact our Technical Sales Team to discuss how air separation can give your operation a cleaner, more profitable edge.