At least 30% of recycled waste is contaminated; either an item being placed into the wrong receptacle (type 1) or a correct item featuring an inappropriate amount of contamination (type 2). Contaminated recyclate often gets diverted to landfill or loses significant value in the recycling ecosystem. The outcome of this project will be an innovative smart bin (Capture) that aims to address the unmet need of a public solution that can eliminate both types of contamination whilst increasing the efficiency of the recycling ecosystem and maximising the potential value of waste.
The project aims as developing new smart waste bin collection capabilities within:
1: Identification and classification of waste
2: Appropriate sorting or recyclables
3: Tie the waste to its producer brands to support producers with extended insight how to recycle more of their products and reduce waste leakage from the ecosystem
4: Investigate and research consumer behaviours to further develop incentives to engage disposers in the waste collection activity
The new technology will be introduced to the smart waste management segment of the global waste recycling market – both of which are well established. The new technology will cater the need for collection of uncontaminated and sorted waste materials, enabling a more cost efficient recycling process further downstream and improve overall recycling targets.
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At least 30% of recycled waste is contaminated; either an item being placed into the wrong receptacle (type 1) or a correct item featuring an inappropriate amount of contamination (type 2). Contaminated recyclate often gets diverted to landfill or loses significant value in the recycling ecosystem. The outcome of this project will be an innovative smart bin (Capture) that aims to address the unmet need of a public solution that can eliminate both types of contamination whilst increasing the efficiency of the recycling ecosystem and maximising the potential value of waste.
A ‘one size fits all’ waste sorting solution on this scale is not feasible, therefore a modular approach will allow the Smart Bin to meet the user requirements and needs within a variety of specific use case scenarios. The AI technology and image recognition software developed in this project will enable the bin to automatically sort the waste and direct it to the appropriate waste stream based on material and level of contamination. Furhermore research on consumer behavior and analysis will be used to further develop incentives and awards to engage disposers in the collection activity
The SmartBin will be introduced to the waste management segment of the global waste recycling market – both of which are well established. The final product will form the basis of our primary revenue stream and will be sold to the primary customer base, with a service/maintenance option, to meet their need of wanting to collect uncontaminated and sorted waste. Sales will be targeted at public venues, retail locations, stadiums, municipalities, office buildings, property owners and operators of public spaces.