The sorting of waste by using near infrared (NIR) technology already is implemented in some sectors. This paper deals with the scarcely use of NIR-technology for the sorting of commercial waste, where the separated recyclable fraction will be used in recycling plants. At the beginning, the legal situation of recycling in Austria is clarified. Then the NIR-method with their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the best available technology and their application are specified. The ability of NIR-technology for sorting of commercial waste is analyzed in large scale-tests in an existing NIR-plant for the sorting of plastic bottles (hollow bodies). The separated material streams are tested for purity, quality and quantity as well as for their marketability. With these results achieved, a pilot NIR-sorting plant for separating papers, paperboards, cardboards and plastics is planned. The use of mixed paper in a recycling economy is investigated and the necessary investments for the extension of the pilot plant with a NIR-System are calculated. Finally the results of this work are discussed.