As the demand for recycled paper, plastic, and aluminum rises, waste management companies are discovering a delightful twist in their operations thanks to AI-powered robotic trash sorters. These advanced systems are not just saving labor costs; they’re also revealing that the value of what we discard is surprisingly high.
Republic Services, the second-largest waste management company in the United States, has embraced this innovative technology, incorporating AI-powered robotic sorters in one-third of its 79 facilities. These remarkable machines have been trained on countless variations of trash, including different colors and conditions.
These robotic sorters are capable of making thousands of decisions every minute, evaluating the quality and integrity of objects to sort them accurately. Using claw arms or even blasts of air, they skillfully maneuver trash to ensure it is directed into the correct bales.
A shining example of this technology is the Cortex sorting machine developed by Amp Robotics, which can identify and extract up to 80 different items from waste streams each minute. It has the remarkable ability to recognize billions of shapes, sizes, colors, logos, and even SKU numbers, transforming what once seemed like a tangled mess into a treasure trove of recyclables.
Matanya Horowitz, the founder and chief technology officer at Amp, highlighted the hidden value in recyclables, stating, “There really is value in a lot of recyclables and garbage. The challenge has been that the cost of extracting these materials was often equal to or greater than their actual worth.”
In a significant move, Amp recently secured a 20-year contract to manage a materials recovery facility for Virginia’s Southeastern Public Service Authority, which had struggled with a mere 7% recycling rate. Completed two years ago, this facility will earn Amp a $50 fee for every ton of waste processed, and they have consistently diverted at least 50% from landfills, showcasing their success.
At Republic Services, the introduction of air-blowing machines has marked a transformative change, significantly enhancing the speed of sorting. The few remaining workers now primarily oversee the beginning of the conveyor system, ensuring safety against larger or hazardous items.
“Thanks to the speed and throughput capabilities, we’re starting to experience economies that make these machines excellent investments,” shared Pete Keller, vice president of recycling and sustainability at Republic Services. “And this isn’t just about labor savings; it’s about improving recovery rates, extracting value, and ensuring purity and quality.”
In a related note, the largest waste management firm in the country, aptly named Waste Management, has invested a remarkable $1.4 billion in robotic sorting technology, further underscoring the positive trend in waste recycling and management.
