AI-assisted recycling centre improving recycling in the UK

Sherbourne Recycling, situated at Whitley Depot, is believed to pioneer a new approach to recycling in the UK. Established by a consortium of eight West Midlands councils, the facility is set to manage waste from a substantial population of 1.5 million residents in the local area.

According to Carolyn Watson-Mettey of Rugby Borough Council, the project marks a significant financial investment. However, it promises substantial returns on investment for all participating councils over the next quarter-century.

The facility is currently in the concluding phase of its launch aiming to efficiently convert mixed residential recycling into premium-grade materials, which can then be reintroduced into the domestic market, reducing reliance on overseas processing.

Layla Shannon, the site Business Manager, touts that it will be able to process 175,000 tonnes of rubbish a year.

“We separate material by metals, glass, plastics, and fibres. We then break that down further into different grades of material,” she explained.

According to Shannon, the robotic units employ powerful suction to precisely target materials during the quality control process. These robots are capable of executing an impressive "70 picks a minute" with their adept robotic arms.

“They’re talking back to the optics that are working a stage before them, they know what they’re looking for, the AI is bringing the whole system together and they’re targeting those key items for us that we don’t want there – last little bits of film or tissues… we pull them off and then we’ve got exactly what we’re looking for at the end,” continued Shannon.

Any waste that cannot be recycled will still need to be distributed into other bins, however, the new technology widens the range of what is suitable for recycling.

“By using the sorting and rapid response technology that we’ve got, we can change and we can move with changes in composition and consumer habits,” added Shannon.

How AI can help tackle recycling challenges

AI has the capability to transform recycling approaches, tackle challenges, and automate processes in almost all areas involved.

With its advanced data processing capabilities, AI can streamline and optimise various stages of the recycling process, from material sorting and quality control all the way to waste management and resource allocation. Utilising machine learning algorithms, AI systems can accurately identify and separate different types of materials at a significantly higher rate and accuracy than traditional methods, thereby improving the overall efficiency and accuracy of recycling operations.

AI can also contribute to the detection of contaminants, ensuring that only high-quality recyclable materials are being processed, this in turn means even less waste as well as improved value and quality of recycled products.

Furthermore, AI-powered analytics can offer valuable insights into recycling patterns and consumer behaviour, enabling the development of more effective and sustainable recycling strategies. This sector is often massively overlooked when considering AI’s role within this sector and beyond.