Question

why are electromagnet used to separate garbage

Answer 1

Just Because :

Electromagnets can only attract magnetic materials. Plastic bag is a non-magnetic material and will not be attracted by an electromagnet. Hence, an electromagnet cannot be used for separating plastic bags from a garbage heap. ... This is because every wire cannot be used as a fuse filament.

Good Luck :)

Answer 2

so that the iron articles that are present in the garbage get stuck to electromagnet so it helps separation of magnetic materials from the waste