Science and Tech

Artificial intelligence, increasingly present in recycling

Artificial intelligence in recycling

FREEPIK

It has become one of the most popular technological solutions. Artificial intelligence is permeating all industrial sectors and recycling is no exception. In fact, it is a plus that can no longer be dispensed with when classifying waste. Not only in the separation of waste, even separating the cap and labels on a bottle, it also allows the optimization of work in recycling plants and the real-time geolocation of operating containers in the environment.

In this environmental context and knowing that artificial intelligence can not only accelerate research and development of clean and sustainable technologies, but also represents a leap in educational and awareness programs, Ecovidrio has presented its first virtual avatar created with AI. His name is Arán and he was born as an environmental ambassador to spread information about caring for the environment, the fight against climate change, the protection of biodiversity and to promote the recycling of glass containers among Spanish citizens.

Through social media, this digital personality will be in charge of debunking all the false myths that exist around glass recycling and will explain to users how trucks collect, how recycling plants work or what environmental benefits recycling glass entails, among other issues. “Environmental outreach through an artificial intelligence avatar is another step by the entity towards a more sustainable world with the help of the most innovative technology,” say sources from Ecovidrio.

Promoting recycling

Another innovation with artificial intelligence in the recycling industry comes from Ecoembes and its Reciclos solution, a system implemented in more than 42,800 yellow containers in Spain, through which anyone who recycles their plastic beverage cans and bottles receives a reward. All you have to do is scan the barcode before throwing them away (through the Reciclos app) and then scan the QR code on the container. This is a measure that encourages the circularity of packaging.

This system is capable of identifying more than 10,000 different types of packaging by their barcode. Its recognition algorithm is retrained every six months and can learn by itself based on its own experience through a series of data. All this, thanks to artificial intelligence, which also allows Reciclos to avoid some traps, such as the packaging being deposited in different municipalities on the same day.

Ambientum Editorial

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