A Drum Separator is a device that uses an air current to separate a material from another of greater density or particles from other greater size. By using air, materials can be separated based on other material density or shape. Essentially the machine separates waste streams in two fractions; heavy and light which are smaller and/or denser drop through the airstream onto the variable speed discharge belt (The Heavy's) Items that are close to the operator settable border between lights and heavies are assisted by the rotating drum to be deposited with lights or heavy's depending upon which way the drum is set to rotate.