sorting refuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sorting refuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of separating waste materials for recycling or disposal. Example: "The city has implemented a new program for sorting refuse to improve recycling rates and reduce landfill waste."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

These normally include employment in cinemas, nightclubs, fairgrounds and amusement arcades; delivering milk; working in a commercial kitchen or butcher's; collecting or sorting refuse; collecting money, selling or canvassing door-to-door; and telephone sales.

The Guardian - Money

One resident, Mapule Sekwati, 73, has been collecting and sorting refuse for 25 years in order to put her children through school.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

First they tackled the fees accumulating from improperly sorted refuse.

The New York Times

Our system is built into the fabric of the building on high-rise structures and residents simply sort their refuse into different types, for example paper, tin, plastic and food waste, and drop it into the shutes where it's carried away and recycled". The next stage in the process at Surrey Canal will be the processing of the waste – once what is recyclable has been extracted – into energy.

The Guardian

A council has faced criticism for asking householders to sort their refuse into nine different bins.

BBC

Mr. Buffett has long been held up as a moral investor of sorts, refusing to invest in industries like tobacco because of their unhealthiness.

The New York Times

Last week, French doctors outraged at the court ruling and reeling from increases in their malpractice insurance premiums began a strike of sorts, refusing to carry out routine ultrasound scans on pregnant women, saying they could be sued if a disabled baby was born.

The New York Times

Human communities, who earn their living by scavenging, sorting, and reselling refuse items, regularly visit garbage dumps in developing countries.

Nature Sciences Sociétés

The Yorkshire-based company that handles garbage collection for cities like Leeds, in the north of England, now ships as much as 1,000 tons a month of garbage — or, since the bad stuff has been sorted out, "refuse-derived fuel" — to countries in Northern Europe, including Norway, according to Donna Cox, a Leeds city spokeswoman.

The New York Times

After collecting and sorting the public's refuse, Iranian companies export the broken-down materials to countries like China and Pakistan, which use recycled plastic and aluminum in their manufacturing industries.

The Guardian

In San Francisco's "Fantastic 3" system, residents sort their refuse into three bins: recyclables, food scraps (including meat) and trash.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about formal waste management processes, "sorting refuse" is suitable. In more casual contexts, consider "sorting trash" or "sorting garbage".

Common error

While "sorting refuse" is grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal in everyday conversation. Using simpler terms like "sorting garbage" or "sorting trash" will make your writing more accessible to general audiences.

Linguistic Context

The gerund phrase "sorting refuse" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI can confirm its usability in written English, typically relating to waste management and recycling processes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sorting refuse" is a grammatically correct term referring to the act of separating waste materials. While Ludwig AI indicates its usability, it's worth noting that it may come across as slightly formal. Ludwig's analysis shows it's more commonly found in news and media contexts and less so in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "sorting garbage" or "sorting trash" for broader accessibility. Though accurate and clear, be mindful of your audience when choosing this specific phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

garbage sorting

Inverts the words, maintaining the exact meaning.

rubbish sorting

Synonymous term.

waste sorting

General term.

trash sorting

More informal term.

separating waste

Focuses on the act of separation rather than the type of material.

classifying garbage

Uses more common terms for the action and the material.

categorizing trash

Similar to classifying, emphasizes putting waste into categories.

recycling separation

Highlights the separation process specifically for recycling.

waste segregation

Uses more formal terminology for both the material and the action.

materials recovery

Broader and more technical.

FAQs

What does "sorting refuse" mean?

The phrase "sorting refuse" refers to the process of separating waste materials into different categories, typically for recycling or disposal.

What can I say instead of "sorting refuse"?

You can use alternatives like "separating waste", "classifying garbage", or "recycling separation" depending on the context.

Is "sorting refuse" formal or informal language?

"Sorting refuse" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, consider using terms like "sorting garbage" or "sorting trash".

Where is "sorting refuse" commonly used?

The phrase "sorting refuse" is often found in news articles, reports on waste management, and academic discussions about environmental science.