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Visual AI technology has made significant advancements in the past decade, particularly in the field of refuse sortation. While current detectors can distinguish between clear and non-clear materials, they struggle to differentiate between specific types of items. However, AI systems have the potential to recognize and separate items based on their shapes and designs, similar to how a human would categorize them.
Additionally, the use of digital watermarking technology could help accurately identify the exact type of plastic resin used in packaging materials. Although still in the trial stages, this technology has the potential to significantly improve waste sorting processes, especially when combined with visual AI.
At recovery facilities, visual AI systems have already been implemented and have led to increased efficiency and accuracy in sorting materials. For example, SUEZ claims that their systems have increased the number of correctly picked items by half and the value of recovered materials by 77 percent.
In Sweden, a state-of-the-art sorting facility called Site Zero utilizes advanced technology to sort plastic waste into 12 different types. This facility can process 200,000 tons of plastic waste annually, making it possible to recycle 95 percent of the material.
Furthermore, research into bioremediation, which involves using organisms to break down pollutants, has shown promising results in recycling difficult-to-process materials like plastic. Enzymes produced by bacteria and fungi have been found to break down plastics into their precursor chemicals, allowing the material to be recycled back into bottles. This research offers hope for a more sustainable circular economy where nearly all materials can be reused.
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Photo credit www.atelier.net
