AI robotics in recycling
Each year, over听听of recyclable materials end听up in U.S.听landfills.听
The inefficiency of the recycling system in the U.S. is largely due to听, or the disposal of non-recyclable materials into the recycling stream. It is estimated that, on average, 听in recycling bins is a non-recyclable item. Historically, most of the U.S.鈥檚 recycling has been sent overseas to be disposed. However, our contamination issue has become so problematic that China, our primary recycler, has begun to reject our recycling. The rejection of our recycling by foreign countries signifies a need for change in the way recycling is sorted in the U.S. One potential solution to our waste problem is the use of machines, artificial intelligence (AI)听and robotics to sort recycling. Environmental innovators have already begun implementing these technologies in select recycling facilities across the country. Widespread application of these technologies could significantly reduce contamination in the recycling system and be a huge step forward in fixing the United States' waste issue.
Recycling sorting has been mechanized for decades in the United States. Optical sorters are one of the most sophisticated听non-AI听sorting machines.听听use the properties of light waves from different materials to weed contamination out of recyclable material. There are three key steps to this process. First, the machines move the recyclables under a bright light. This causes the different materials to absorb and reflect light waves at different levels, creating a distinct light 鈥渟ignature.鈥 Second, the optical sorter assesses these light signatures with a spectrometer. Finally, once a targeted light signature is identified, a computer calculates the location of the item on the belt and a blast of air removes it from the rest of the assessed material. This technology is capable of identifying plastics, glass, wood, paper听and cardboard. It is also capable of finding more specific types and colors of plastics and paper. This machinery allows for more efficient sorting than what can be done with manual labor.
Check out this of the plastics optical sorter at the听
Optical sorters are efficient and largely successful at removing contamination, but even better recycling technologies are beginning to be implemented. These new technologies rely on the use of AI, or artificial intelligence.听听has the ability to perform complex tasks that would typically require human intelligence. One of the most widely used AI recycling sorters is designed by AMP Robotics, a Colorado Front Range-based company created by CU alumni Matanya Horowitz.听, AMP Neuron, uses computers to map millions of images of material streams to identify different types of papers, plastics听and metals. This powers听, the robotics system that performs the physical task of sorting the recycled material. The AMP Cortex robot has three arms that allow for a large range of motion and fast picking and placement. Together, AMP鈥檚 AI and robotics system can quickly sort through nearly all recyclables and contaminants found in single-stream recycling.听听
AMP Robotics is just one of many companies using AI and robotics to revolutionize recycling in the U.S.听听is the first company to apply these technologies to recycling. This company's robotics are capable of picking up as many as 6,000 pieces of waste in one hour.听听uses AI to sort recycling on a smaller scale. They created the TrashBot, a disposal bin that sorts waste into trash and recycling on the spot.听听补苍诲听听have also created AI waste recognition software that provides analytics on sorted materials.
There are many听听to using AI to sort recycling. These computers are able to store and process data quicker than humans can. The stored data can then be used by facility managers or even made publicly available to improve output. Even the machines themselves can learn from the information they store, allowing for a continuously more accurate sort. AI will also reduce our reliance on manual sorting. Sorting is dangerous. Workers can be exposed to harmful chemicals, respiratory hazards听or biological substances that were incorrectly disposed of, injured by malfunctioning machines听or听injured from the repetitive motion of sorting. By letting machines take on the sorting responsibility, we can utilize those workers for other roles in the recycling industry. Currently, more than听听are employed in the recycling and reuse industries. Only听of these people are employed in recycling facilities, with an even smaller percentage being manual sorters. Ultimately, utilizing AI will not significantly impact job availability.The use of AI in the United States' recycling industry is one step towards having a more efficient recycling system. It will help us to reduce contamination, make better use of the products we have already created, and reduce the environmental footprint of the United States. To learn more about this topic please .