Waste and recycling material sorting is crucial for reducing environmental impact and promoting resource recovery. However, its complexity poses significant challenges, necessitating the development of effective sorting processes. Manual operation of these plants can be less efficient than automated systems. The first step toward automation is utilizing a Digital Twin, which combines fundamental principles and data-driven insights into the waste sorting process. To achieve this, the equipment involved in waste sorting plants can be analyzed in detail, focusing on operational settings and their impact on overall efficiency. Initially, a steady-state model of the plant is developed, followed by the implementation of advanced strategies like model predictive control. The model can be rigorously tested and refined using a case study on German post-consumer waste. The architecture of the Digital Twin, comprising various building blocks such as the modeling and simulation block, is being developed to transition away from manual operations. This Digital Twin aims to enhance sorting efficiency through offline and online optimization of operational set points, leading to a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. Through simulations and real-time data integration, a Digital Twin for the waste and recycling material process can aid with process design, fine-tuning, and plant automation.