Recycling efficiency: While the technology exists to effectively take apart and recycle even complex multipart products, scalability has always been a critical weakness of recycling plants. Automation is boosting sorting rates, but there is still a long way to go before they can keep up with demand. AI solutions can build vast databases of rubbish items, coordinating the sorting process with human and robotic workers, upping efficiency and safety while cutting down on mistakes that can contaminate whole loads. UK-based Greyparrot is an example of what cutting-edge analytical systems can do, as its AI analyses waste in real time, and scans around 32 billion items of waste a year.
Collection route optimisation: Millions of rubbish trucks across the world drive their routes every day, collecting rubbish and transporting it to landfill or recycling facilities. By understanding exactly where the waste is at a given moment, these fleets are in a better position to plan their routes efficiently, cutting out needless collections, saving time, fuel and CO2 emissions in the process. Recent research suggests that AI could reduce overall transportation distances by up to 36.8%, enabling time savings of up to 28.22%, and delivering operational cost savings of 13.35%. In time, this approach may lead to fully automated collection truck fleets, guided by AI, making no unnecessary journeys at all.
Waste-to-Energy (WtE): While burning rubbish for energy is hardly a neat solution to our global waste problem, it is better than many of the alternatives. However, WtE plants frequently endure stoppages and even safety-related incidents as irregular waste streams create blockages. AI systems can constantly scan incoming waste and raise alarms on any potential risk factors, stopping incidents before they start. This AI-empowered approach can also help optimise wider operations, leading to production improvements of 15-20% compared to traditional methods.
Education: Addressing the waste problem from the other side of the equation, AI is seeing greater use in providing knowledge and boosting awareness regarding public recycling participation and reduction of consumption rates. Through chatbots, dedicated interfaces and business advice platforms, AI can help individuals and businesses better understand what to do with their rubbish and how to play their small part in addressing the global waste problem.