Abstract: A solid waste recovery system processes solid wastes which would otherwise be sent to a landfill by utilizing several stages of systematically separating and processing various components of the refuse. Refuse is trucked in and dumped on a tipping floor of the recovery facility and separated into non-compostables, recyclables, and compostable materials. The non-compostables are further separated into recyclable inorganics which are recaptured as resalable items and into non-compostable organics which are further separated into hospital and clinical wastes to be incinerated or disposed of as hazardous waste, and into petroleum products to be incinerated, sent to a landfill or disposed of as hazardous waste, or recycled.