Browse picking stations and sorting conveyors for sale for recycling facilities, material recovery facilities (MRFs), and waste processing operations. A picking station provides an elevated conveyor belt with worker platforms on both sides, allowing manual sorting and separation of recyclable materials from a waste stream. GrinderCrusherScreen carries picking stations for C&D recycling, MSW processing, and single-stream sorting lines. Call 770-433-2670 for pricing and availability.

How a Picking Station Works

A picking station consists of a slow-moving belt conveyor (typically 10-30 feet per minute) at waist height with platforms on both sides where workers stand. Material travels along the belt and workers pull recyclable or contaminating items off the belt into chutes, bins, or separate conveyors below. The remaining material continues down the belt to the next processing stage.

Picking stations are positioned at strategic points in a recycling or waste processing circuit:

• Pre-sort (before shredding) — removing large contaminants, hazardous items, and non-processable material before it enters a shredder or grinder
• Post-screen sort — separating recyclable fractions after screening by size
• Quality control — final inspection of finished product before stockpiling or shipping
• C&D recycling — separating wood, metal, concrete, cardboard, and plastic from mixed demolition loads

Why Manual Sorting Still Matters

Despite advances in optical sorting and automated systems, manual picking stations remain essential equipment at most recycling facilities. They are the most cost-effective solution for small to mid-size operations, and even large automated MRFs use manual sort lines for quality control and secondary separation.

Manual picking stations are standard equipment for C&D recyclers, transfer stations, and single-stream MRFs processing under 50 tons per hour.

What to Check Before You Buy

Inspect the belt for wear and tracking. Check the belt speed control for smooth, consistent operation at slow speeds. Inspect the platforms, guardrails, and access stairs for structural condition and OSHA compliance. Check the chute doors and drop bins for smooth operation. Verify the drive motor and gearbox for quiet, consistent low-speed operation.

Pre-sort waste with a picking station before processing through an MSW shredder to protect the shredder from contaminants and recover recyclable material. Browse all conveyors and stackers.

Find the Right Picking Station

Browse our current picking station inventory below, or call 770-433-2670 to talk with our team. Financing available on all equipment.