• • • SAFETY IN ENGINEERING • • •


previously impossible results. In recycling, AI has advanced to the point where it can identify materials on a conveyor belt at speeds no human could match. What’s more, this technology can detect new materials and contaminants it hasn’t encountered before, allowing for more precise sorting and fewer valuable resources slipping through the cracks. This is critical because every missed recyclable item represents a lost opportunity to reduce reliance on virgin materials, a process that consumes enormous amounts of energy and contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.


companies can kickstart this by investing in the most advanced and efficient recycling technologies that are now available, giving them much more access to post consumer recycled material (PCR), which today, cannot keep up with demand due to recycling inefficiencies and education. A true circular economy will not just occur on its own, and that’s why AI technology combined with robotics is revolutionising the recycling industry for the betterment of the planet. Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are the backbone of our recycling system, but their traditional methods of operation need a technology update. These facilities have long relied on traditional machinery and human labour to sort recyclable materials, but this process often misses the mark, resulting in about 30 per cent of the recyclable material going into these facilities ending up in landfill. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), however, we’re witnessing a transformation that could redefine how recycling serves our planet.


AI is not just about automation, it’s about creating a system that adapts, learns and delivers


electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025 19


But the real promise of AI in recycling isn’t just its efficiency. It is its ability to change the narrative around waste. For too long, the focus has been on the act of recycling itself, as though simply separating items into bins is enough to solve the problem. The reality is that without advanced systems to recover those materials effectively, much of what we try to recycle still ends up in landfills. This perpetuates a cycle of waste, where virgin materials are continually extracted, processed and discarded, a process that’s as unsustainable as it is environmentally damaging. By recovering more materials with greater accuracy, it directly supports manufacturers in using recycled content over virgin materials. This shift is monumental: every ton of recycled aluminum, for instance, saves 95 per cent of the energy required to produce it from raw ore. Similarly, using recycled plastics reduces energy consumption by up to 88 per cent. The accessibility of these innovations also makes them a game-changer for MRFs of all sizes, from smaller facilities to large-scale operations. Unlike heavy machinery that requires costly repairs and inflexible upgrades, AI-driven robots are adaptable, resilient and increasingly affordable. More importantly, this technology allows recycling facilities to scale their impact in ways that were unimaginable just a decade ago. However, the ripple effects of these innovations extend beyond the walls of recycling facilities, directly influencing households and the choices people make every day. The more CPG companies and manufacturers that prioritise sustainability, the easier it becomes for consumers to adopt environmentally friendly habits. We conducted a recent survey across the US and one of the


highlights found a growing readiness. 27.4 per cent of people who will always buy products with eco-friendly or recyclable packaging are between the ages of 18-24. This demonstrates that younger generations are eager to make a difference, but they need companies and governments at all levels to take the first step.


This readiness stands in contrast to the current sentiment surrounding recycling. The numbers don’t lie. We have the tools to do better, but it requires investment and leadership from packaging manufacturers and CPG companies to build trust and show consumers that their recycling habits and sustainability efforts genuinely matter.


When companies invest in cutting-edge recycling technologies, like AI-powered robots, the results speak for themselves: cleaner air, fewer materials wasted and a process that makes recycling feel purposeful again. This, in turn, motivates consumers to do their part at home. It creates a virtuous cycle, one where packaging manufacturers and CPG companies, local governments and households all play their roles in building a circular economy. Imagine a world where every soda can or piece of packaging you recycle is tracked and reintroduced into the economy with precision. This is not just a dream, it’s a future within reach if the right steps are taken now. Young people are already leading the charge by voting with their dollars, demanding recyclable and sustainable packaging from brands. Their enthusiasm signals a generational shift toward environmental accountability, but they can’t do it alone. The future of recycling isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about creating a system that no longer treats waste as an inevitable byproduct of consumption. AI offers the tools to achieve this vision, turning the dream of a circular economy into a reality. The question isn’t whether AI will lead this transformation, it already is. The real challenge is ensuring industries, governments and consumers move quickly enough to embrace its potential. Because the sooner we make this shift, the sooner we can stop relying on the outdated, extractive model of the take-make-waste economy and start building a future where resources are valued, protected and reused to their fullest potential for a fully circular economy.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54