AI and the future of waste

Innovation is key to decarbonising processes and maximising resource efficiency in the waste management industry.

With a firm focus on achieving net zero, Norse Environmental Waste Services (NEWS), part of the Norse Group, has turned to new technologies to revolutionise recycling practices.

Founded in 1993, NEWS operates several contracts across Norfolk, managing approximately 250,000 tonnes of waste annually. With significant responsibilities, including the processing of mixed recyclable materials for Norfolk’s Boroughs, City, and District Councils, as well as the operation of 19 Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) on behalf of Norfolk County Council, NEWS plays a crucial role in governing the region’s recycling.

One of NEWS’ flagship facilities, the Costessey Materials Recycling Facility (MRF), has been instrumental since its inception in 2003, processing over 1.5 million tonnes of recyclable material and boasting a capacity to handle up to 140,000 tonnes per year.

Recently, NEWS made a significant leap forward in recycling innovation with its investment in AI-powered sorting technology at their recycling facility in Norwich. Collaborating with Recycleye, a pioneering UK-based company specialising in AI-powered automation for waste management, NEWS deployed robotic picking installations to enhance the recovery of valuable recyclables such as mixed plastic bottles and aluminium cans. This state-of-the-art technology works alongside human operatives, significantly boosting sorting accuracy and efficiency while optimising resource recovery.

AI brings the power of accurate detection to waste management. By applying deep learning, Recycleye’s AI uses millions of decisions to categorise waste based on visual characteristics, enabling unprecedented granularity in sorting. This advanced AI is as accurate as the human eye, identifying features of an object beyond just its material, colour, or size. Unaffected by dust and dirt, this ground-breaking technology recognises items that were previously impossible to detect, including black plastics or food-grade packaging.

Recycleye Robotics helps reduce costs by automating manual picking operations, achieving a rate of 55 objects per minute. In comparison, human operatives typically manage about 30 to 40 items per minute, making their AI counterparts up to 83% more efficient. This automation not only enhances the efficiency of sorting operations but also creates a safer working environment.

In addition, data from all items detected by Recycleye Vision as they pass along the belt is presented in a simple graphical format, allowing for real-time insights. This enables NEWS to identify the percentage of each material class in the waste stream and spot trends or issues, improving overall plant efficiency and waste stream visibility.

As AI continues to shape our world, innovative solutions are emerging across all industries. Looking forward, Norse Group is poised to stay ahead of the curve, embracing the opportunity to invest in new technologies across all operations to increase efficiencies, achieve financial savings, and promote sustainable practices in our drive towards net zero. Together, we are committed to building a brighter future for our clients and communities.