Abstract: An apparatus for separating cutlery from food waste, such as for use in a restaurant, includes a glacis which is angled toward the opening of a waste container. Extending from an end of the glacis are a set of flaps having a closed position whereby they guide the food waste into the waste container, and having an open position whereby they separate and expose a receptacle for receiving cutlery. A detector is disposed relative to the glacis for detecting a cutlery item inadvertently mixed with the food waste on the glacis. If a cutlery item is sensed by the detector, the flaps are caused to open and the cutlery item falls into the cutlery receptacle, thereby the cutlery is separated from the food waste.