Combating contamination in waste management requires a holistic approach, with innovation at every touchpoint. By leveraging technology from the initial point of disposal through to the material recovery facility, it is possible to better understand disposal patterns, increase diversion rates and promote more sustainable practices.
By Dean Liappas
Contamination in commercial waste and recycling remains a concern as landfill levels reach record highs. A single contaminated material can ultimately lead to an entire load of recyclables being sent to the landfill, leaving a company with expensive contamination costs. This can undermine recycling efforts and increase operational costs. Correcting course at various points in the waste stream through advances in waste technology is the most effective way to improve sorting efficiency, reduce contamination rates and reduce emissions.
In single-stream recycling, contamination occurs when non-recyclable or improperly prepared items are placed in recycling containers, making it difficult or impossible to process the recyclable materials in a material recovery facility (MRF). Contaminants can include items such as large quantities of plastic bags, food scraps, greasy containers and sometimes broken glass, which not only end up in landfills but can also block sorting machines and degrade the quality of recyclable materials.
This often stems from well-intentioned but incorrect recycling habits, such as ‘wishcycling’, where non-recyclable items are thrown into the recycling container in the hope that they will be properly processed further down the line. Contamination can also occur when a waste container is full and, out of convenience, a recycling container is inappropriately used to dispose of additional landfill waste. Additionally, recycling guidelines vary by municipality, causing confusion about what is and is not accepted as recyclable. A proactive approach that includes clear guidelines, community and employee education, and enforcement of proper sorting practices is essential to reducing contamination and improving recycling program efficiency. Point-of-disposal and sorting technologies simplify this effort.
Reducing contamination at the point of disposal with AI
Single-stream recycling is designed with the intention of making recycling easier, but can often result in higher levels of contamination. A major opportunity to reduce contamination lies in the area of waste management, where confusion about what can be recycled results in improper disposal and, as a result, accidental contamination. This is a challenge in which we all play a role. Improving practices at this stage to reduce contamination before materials are collected can have a significant impact as highly contaminated loads go to landfills instead of recycling facilities, which the EPA says are one of the largest sources of methane emissions in the are USA.
AI-based solutions offer a path forward by helping detect non-recyclable materials early, guiding better disposal practices and reducing contamination in the waste stream. This technology can support everyone in the waste ecosystem, from waste haulers and service providers to consumers and businesses, who all play a role in improving recycling outcomes by working together and with more information.
Point A: Small waste and recycling bins
Human error plays a role because people initially throw away waste in a waste bin or recycling bin at collection points where several waste bins are set up. Unclear and inconsistent rules, together with a lack of training, can cause confusion and result in improper disposal and subsequent contamination. AI-based technology can be used to provide guidance at the time of removal. Is this item recyclable? Let smart technology drive the decision to promote good recycling and encourage diversion.
Smart waste bins equipped with camera sensors and real-time feedback monitors use AI to detect the type of waste placed in the bin and provide guidance on how to dispose of items in the correct bin. Companies can also use data from smart waste containers to better understand waste generation patterns and implement targeted waste reduction strategies (see Figure 1).
Furthermore, creating online platforms can ease community challenges and incentives for proper recycling, thereby improving proper waste disposal training. These platforms can gamify the recycling process and reward participants with incentives for proper disposal. Furthermore, AI such as ChatGPT could be imagined as a tool to ask questions about what is and is not recyclable.
Smart waste bins using AI detect the type of waste being thrown away and provide guidance for accurate disposal.
Images courtesy of RoadRunner.
Item B: Commercial waste containers
The EPA estimates that about a quarter of truck trips are too contaminated to be taken to a recycling facility. Let’s take a look at some of the smart waste management technologies currently available that play a crucial role in reducing contamination at this point in the waste stream.
AI-powered surveillance cameras and waste container recognition technology provide some of the most advanced waste management analytics. Smart cameras collect data on the fullness and contents of the waste container every day and can identify when a waste container is contaminated. This information is used to provide advance warning to remove contamination before collection and for corrective action to prevent future contamination (see Figure 2).
This AI camera technology can also help identify waste container fullness, optimizing service levels to prevent non-recyclable materials from entering the recycling container due to an overfull waste container.
AI-powered dumpster surveillance cameras continuously collect data on dumpster fullness and contents and identify when a contaminant is placed in a recycling dumpster.
Gain insight into materials at the MRF
In recent years we have seen an increase in international laws that have made recycling contamination an increasing concern for MRFs. There are now stricter standards for MRFs to produce cleaner and less contaminated materials than before. Technological advances have enabled a significantly streamlined sorting process to reduce contamination levels and better understand the composition of recyclable materials.
Advanced sorting technologies, such as conveyors equipped with AI and robotics, can quickly identify recyclable materials and separate them from contaminants. Optical sensors can also detect different plastics and metals, allowing fast and accurate sorting. However, this does not help upstream to prevent recyclable materials from becoming permanently contaminated or large quantities of recyclable materials from being unnecessarily sent to landfills. That’s why upstream technology like dumpster cameras and sensors continues to be a crucial advance in reducing contamination as early as possible.
The benefits of using AI technology throughout the waste process
Integrating technology at different stages of the waste stream offers a number of benefits, such as:
• Reduced contamination through improved sorting accuracy: AI-powered systems can identify and/or sort recyclable materials more accurately than manual or traditional methods, and provide real-time feedback for manual disposal, reducing contamination by correctly classifying materials. They can also identify contaminants more accurately. By having consistent visibility, contaminants are not missed or hidden among other recyclables as waste bins and dumpsters become full.
• Achieving sustainability goals and reducing carbon emissions from landfills: Embracing technology that helps reduce pollution can contribute to broader environmental sustainability goals. AI’s ability to reduce pollution means fewer recyclables end up in landfills, improving overall recycling rates and reducing environmental impact.
• Continuous improvement, learning and education: AI systems can learn and adapt to new materials, packaging types and contamination patterns over time. This not only ensures that sorting processes remain effective as recycling requirements evolve, but they can also accurately guide decision-making at the point of disposal to prevent contamination.
• Cost savings for businesses: For businesses, a carrier’s contamination fees can be expensive, especially if contamination persists. It is of course reasonable for carriers to recoup the costs they themselves face as a result of contamination, including reimbursements from third-party MRFs where they dump, or in the form of lower commodity revenues for the vertically integrated providers. A technology solution that not only identifies contamination but also helps train team members can be extremely valuable in reducing both contamination and costs.
• Cost savings for recyclers: By reducing pollution, AI systems help reduce costs associated with rejected loads, equipment maintenance and labor, resulting in long-term financial benefits for recycling facilities, as well as the industry as a whole .
• An opportunity for carriers: In a competitive waste transportation market, differentiation from the competition by embracing advanced technology, even if it is still in its relatively early stages, is smart business practice. AI tools can support products such as reporting and recycling services and provide additional value-added revenue streams.
Take a holistic approach to reduce contamination
Combating contamination in waste management requires a holistic approach, with innovation at every touchpoint. By leveraging technology from the initial point of disposal through to the material recovery facility, it is possible to better understand disposal patterns, increase diversion rates and promote more sustainable practices. | WA
Dean Liappas is Vice President of Marketplace at RoadRunner, a leading provider of tech-enhanced, fully managed commercial waste and recycling services that streamline operations, drive cost savings and increase landfill diversion for mid-sized and large businesses in the US. Dean has spent the majority of his career in the resources sector, within both the energy and environmental markets, including waste/recycling, and has led the development and execution of strategic sales and operational initiatives. At RoadRunner, Dean works to bring together all stakeholders in the waste and recycling industry by leveraging technology and evolving business models to identify and capitalize on new opportunities. For more information, visit www.roadrunnerwm.com.
Sources
www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases#methane
www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/national-overview-facts-and-figures-materials#NationalPicture
www.roadrunnerwm.com/technology/waste-metering
