Abstract: Apparatus for the aerodynamic separation of a heterogeneous mixture of materials of different weights into component parts thereof is provided which comprises a vertical separation column, means for feeding the waste material to be separated in an air suspended state into the separation column, additional air means for blowing air upwardly into the treating column from its lower end thereof to aid in the passage of waste material upwardly through the treating column, and a plurality of air jet means provided in spaced arrangement in the upper portion of the treating column for imparting jet streams of air into the column for creating and maintaining a plurality of zones of turbulence in the upper portion of the column thereby facilitating the separation of the waste material into its component parts. The present invention includes the method of separating the heterogeneous mixture of material utilizing the jets of air in a controlled manner.