The way I implemented sorting in Improved Containers was by assigning sorting values to each category.
Lower value means it will be sorted first. Same value means it will sort it according to rarity > name.

If you want to come with suggestions to the sorting system or values, please let me know what you think should be changed.



-- armor
headwear = 11,
headarmour = 11,
headarmor = 11,
chestwear = 11,
chestarmour = 11,
chestarmor = 11,
legwear = 11,
legarmour = 11,
legarmor = 11,
backwear = 11,
enviroprotectionpack = 11,
shield = 12,

-- active items
uniqueweapon = 20,
assaultrifle = 20,
boomerang = 20,
chakram = 20,
rocketlauncher = 20,
sniperrifle = 20,
pistol = 20,
machinepistol = 20,
shotgun = 20,
grenadelauncher = 20,

broadsword = 22,
fistweapon = 22,
axe = 22,
dagger = 22,
hammer = 22,
shortsword = 22,
spear = 22,
whip = 22,

staff = 24,
wand = 24,

bow = 26,
throwableitem = 27,

tool = 29,
musicalinstrument = 30,
toy = 31,

vehiclecontroller = 35,

-- objects

crafting = 40,
furniture = 40,
storage = 40,
fridgestorage = 40,
decorative = 40,
door = 40,
light = 40,
trophy = 40,
other = 40, -- outpost stores, ancient con, mannequin, fountain
teleportmarker = 40,
actionfigure = 40,

wire = 46,

rail = 52,
railplatform = 52,
railpoint = 52,

-- consumable
mysteriousreward = 90,

medicine = 95,
preparedfood = 97,
drink = 98,
food = 99,

shiplicense = 101,
clothingdye = 105,
eppaugment = 108,
petcollar = 110,

-- tiles / placeable
block = 140,
platform = 141,
liquid = 144,

sapling = 146,
seed = 146,

smallfossil = 150,
mediumfossil = 150,
largefossil = 150,

-- crafting material
currency = 160,
["upgrade component"] = 160,
upgradecomponent = 160,
craftingmaterial = 160,
cookingingredient = 162,

tradingcard = 190,
quest = 190,
codex = 191,

x = 200, -- item does not have a category

generic = 300, -- PGI
junk = 300,
foodjunk = 300