a contaminate separation apparatus for use in separating contaminant materials from cellulose and / or paper fibres in a paper recycling process includes a reservoir for receiving a waste paper slurry therein . the reservoir is provided with an inlet opening for the input of the slurry , one or more fibre discharge outlets or passages , and at least one waste outlet positioned vertically above the fibre discharge outlet opening . an agitator provided in a lower portion of the reservoir generates differential flow currents within the reservoir , to selectively divert plastics , waxes , adhesives and / or other sticky waste materials outwardly towards the waste outlet , while providing a flow of suspended paper and / or cellulose fibres to one or more of the fibre discharge outlets .