A system and apparatus for processing recyclable materials, including a header box, a plurality of routing channels connected to the header box, and a temporary storage container for each routing channel. During use, a user deposits one or more recyclable items into an intake header box, and the user then presses a selected button, corresponding to the material of the item, to control routing of the deposited item to a pre-sorted storage area. The header box includes a mirror, showing the routing channels, to allow a user to determine if the system is clear or blocked. The routing channels are made from modular units, so that the apparatus can be modified or adapted to meet the needs of different users, or the changing needs of a single user.