Advances in AI technology are accelerating in every industry, including the recycling and waste management industries.
Smart sorting systems powered by artificial intelligence are revolutionizing material separation and are poised to improve recycling rates to benefit the environment and increase industry profitability.
AI-Powered Smart Sorting Systems
Sensors and automation have been utilized for some time in the scrap metal recycling industry to assist in sorting material. The new emerging technology combines smart manufacturing, AI, and advanced robotics that sort waste streams and self-adjust with deep-learning algorithms resulting in incredible accuracy in material separation.
Waste Sorting Transformed
For decades recycling required labor-intensive hand sorting of material. Not only was this process slow, but it also resulted in material being misclassified, leading to contamination of the recycled material. With the use of AI, material can be sorted with greater precision and speed. AI classification systems are trained on high-tech X-ray and optical data, so that the machines can distinguish a wide array of material based on visuals like shape and color, but also things the human eye cannot distinguish, like chemical composition.
With cameras, computer vision allows recycling systems to interpret the material in front of them. High-resolution cameras and real-time processing enable machines to detect and classify waste moving along conveyor belts.
AI Always Improving with Machine Learning
Machine learning (ML) is the tool propelling AI efficiency in the recycling industry today, according to the recycling industry website Recyclinginside.com. Machine learning allows AI systems to learn from the data it is working with without being programmed to do so. AI algorithms are trained on thousands of recyclable material labels, for instance, to recognize patterns and make predictions. “These models improve over time as they are exposed to more data, allowing for increasingly accurate classification of waste items,” stated a recent website article.
Robotics
If AI is the brains behind smart sorting systems, robotics is the brawn. The use of robotics reduces labor costs and increases efficiency, while improving safety with potentially dangerous tasks. Robotic sorting offers incredible precision as the sorting robots are equipped with AI optics and suction or gripper arms that enable them to sort material with accuracy and speed.
“Companies like AMP Robotics and ZenRobotics have developed robotic systems capable of performing up to 80 picks per minute, rivaling the efficiency of human sorters. These robots can be trained to target specific materials—such as aluminum cans, cardboard, or certain types of plastic—based on operational priorities and market demand,” according to Recycleinside.com
AMP’s website explains that it offers a robotic arm sortation system that works in conjunction with AI optic material identification and air jet separation for a complete AI-powered material sorting system.
Collaborative robotics, or cobots, are being used increasingly in the metals recycling industry. Cobots use cameras, robotic arms, grippers, and conveyor systems to lift, move, and stack materials as needed, and can perform a wide range of tasks such as material handling, assembly, inspection, and maintenance alongside human workers.
E-waste
AI-driven systems have the potential to increase e-waste recycling. E-waste recycling is a challenge because there is often very little valuable material in devices, and this material is difficult to extract. Although some devices are made with precious metals, they contain such minute amounts that recovering them is not cost effective without more technologically advanced and sophisticated equipment. AI has the potential to detect and sort these metals, which can work in conjunction with advanced robotics for recovery. Some large recyclers today are already using infrared and x-ray technology to sort out valuable metals. Other technologies, such as pyrolysis and plasma arc melting, are being developed to recycle the difficult-to-process material once identified.
Point of Disposal AI
Oscar Sort is a Canadian product that uses AI to identify material before it goes into the waste stream. The product is already in use at numerous locations in North America. According to the Oscar Sort website, a monitor uses cameras at trash disposal sites, like large cafeterias and commercial spaces, to enable consumers to scan their waste. After scanning, Oscar Sort tells them what bin the waste items should go in, recycle, compost or landfill. Oscar Sort even can reward consumers for using the system. They can simply scan the screen to receive rewards after they deposit their trash. Oscar Sort is already available at many colleges, commercial and office settings across the country.
What the Future Holds
Looking into the future, scrap metal recyclers can anticipate more complicated products and materials entering the waste stream. These require more sophisticated technology to sort and recycle efficiently. Recyclers and researchers are continuing to develop and implement more innovations to meet these challenges and make recycling more efficient and less expensive. Recycling industry observers predict that as the innovations in AI-powered sorting systems continue these systems will become more prevalent and cost effective.
About ScrapWare Corporation: Since 1989, Rockville, Maryland-based ScrapWare Corporation has been the software of choice for the recycling industry. Its ease of installation and simplicity saves users time and money while helping them achieve compliance and maintain accurate business insights. With state-of-the-art functionality tailored to each organization’s unique requirements, ScrapWare is an advanced dynamic software solution that alleviates the most pressing recycling industry worries. For more information, please call (301) 517-8500 or visit https://www.scrapware.com/.