The recycling industry is getting a much-needed upgrade, and it’s all thanks to AI-powered robotics. This upgrade is coming at a perfect time, as waste production will not slow anytime soon. Did you know that only 21% of residential recyclables actually get recycled?
By: JD Ambati, Founder & CEO of EverestLabs
That’s where technology steps in to assist. Advanced robotics, designed specifically for the recycling system, represents one of the most efficient methods for bolstering the recycling rate and reducing our world’s waste problem.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the transformative element in the evolution of recycling robots. AI equips computers and machines with the ability to mimic human intelligence, enabling them to automate tasks and even solve complex problems. By automating recycling processes, AI contributes to environmental protection, helping us safeguard our planet.
When it comes to recycling specifically, AI is helping revolutionize the way recyclables are sorted. These AI-powered robots now have the capabilities to make the recycling process more efficient and effective for Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs). MRFs are recycling plants that use a combination of machinery and human workers to manually sort recyclable materials as they move down a conveyor belt so that they can hopefully be recycled. AI-powered robots are changing the game because they are smaller, quicker, more accurate, and more accessible than current sorting methods.
The technology behind these robots is what makes a difference for the environment. AI is now giving these robots the ability to identify recyclable materials on a conveyor belt in a matter of milliseconds, and then pick them out piece-by-piece. These robots can sort materials at faster speeds than ever and with a higher rate of recovery than traditional sorting methods carried out by humans.
Not only do these robots make the process more efficient, but the AI technology is able to adapt to new materials which will be especially important as companies update their packaging to be more sustainable. Integrating this technology with recycling helps reduce misorting, and in turn, reduces the amount of recyclable materials being landfilled. In fact, some recycling robots have the capability to capture 2-3x more material than traditional sorting methods MRFs use. These robots can operate continuously, 24/7, with an impressive performance uptime of greater than 99%. This continuous operation leads to increased productivity and higher throughputs for MRFs. These AI-powered robots are helping MRFs operate at a higher level maximizing the amount of recyclable waste recovered.
This new technology is also helping to reduce costs and improve safety in MRFs. When using new AI recycling robots, many facilities see an increase in material recovery, increased profits, decreased turnover rates, and lower training costs. In addition, a significant expense for organizations is the cost associated with waste disposal. The average landfill tipping fee in the United States is approximately $58 per ton. While this might not seem substantial initially, these costs accumulate significantly over time. By efficiently sorting waste and extracting recyclable materials, AI-powered robots reduce the overall volume of waste sent to landfills. Consequently, this not only lowers disposal costs but also supports environmental sustainability. This technology is essential not only for creating a greener environment but also for ensuring smooth and cost-effective company operations for recycling facilities.
AI-powered robots enhance safety by minimizing the need for humans to sort recyclables and waste manually. Manual sorters have to stand for hours on end, meticulously sifting through a rapidly moving conveyor belt that is likely to have sharp objects, hazardous materials, and heavy items on it. The stress on the body, coupled with the potential for injuries, creates a very difficult work environment. Further, as our planet continues to warm, heat conditions must be taken into account and OSHA has taken the first step in standardizing how to protect waste industry workers in extreme heat.
Human efficiency tends to decline throughout the day due to fatigue and other factors. In addition, there are limitations to human speed and accuracy, often leading to bottlenecks in processing recyclables effectively, which lowers material recovery for operators. By taking on these hazardous tasks, robots allow employees to focus on more complex issues that AI cannot yet handle, placing them in safer and more desirable roles. MRF operators have said that using robots to sort instead of humans has fixed staffing issues and allowed personnel to move into higher-priority positions. This is a win for team members, plant safety, plant operations, and the environment.
You can’t manage what you can’t measure and this applies to recycling facilities too. Due to a previous lack of technological innovation, many recycling plants did not have access to real-time data and analytics that would allow them to track their operations effectively. Data is the key to unlocking insights into operations to make system-wide improvements. Luckily, AI-generated data can help. AI can provide recycling facilities with data on material characterization, recovery rates, and landfilling fees, plus other insights that can be used to drive operational improvements and increased material recovery.
Technology is providing a clear solution. Now is the time to invest in AI-powered robots to streamline the recycling process and contribute positively to the environment. This technology offers a comprehensive package: it is cost-effective, efficient, and accurate. AI-powered recycling robots are driving real change and helping to solve the world’s waste problem.
Photos credits: EverestLabs
