Cities Look to AI to Flag Residents' Trash and Recycling Mistakes

The new Global Plastics AI Policy Tool, developed by plastic waste and ecology experts, uses machine learning to predict how policy interventions like capping production and investing in recycling infrastructure would reduce plastic pollution by 2050. It could be of particular use as countries work on an international, legally binding treaty to address the plastic crisis.

The Shred Up Halabja Recycling Center is the first successful plastic collection and recycling system in Halabja, Iraq. The project collects plastics from schools, homes, and public places to recycle and turn into usable products. It also educates students about the importance of recycling to encourage understanding and innovation.

Farmers are transitioning to precision agriculture to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The practice uses technology like artificial intelligence, satellite imagery, and soil probes to collect and analyze data so farmers know how to manage specific parts of their fields.

Artificial intelligence tools are helping the solar energy company Solstice better serve community solar subscribers and make projects more inclusive for low-income households. The tools use data to predict when subscribers might be facing problems that will likely lead to them leaving the project, such as delays or billing confusion, and vet subscribers based on whether they are likely to pay their bills instead of using their credit scores.

The California-based tech startup Shinkei is combining artificial intelligence with an ancient Japanese method called Ike Jime to kill fish quickly with less pain. Alongside improved fish welfare, the method cuts down waste by keeping the fish fresher for longer.

Recycle Pay encourages residents of Uganda to collect plastic waste by awarding them points that can be redeemed for cash, healthcare credits, or school fees. The whole process is organized on an app.

A startup in Germany created an online platform, Cirplus, that connects recycling companies with manufacturers and distributors in the plastic industry. The site encourages the move towards a circular economy by improving transparency for buyers and sellers.

La Asociación de Coordinadores de Reciclaje Municipal en Puerto Rico ha logrado desviar 9 millones de libras de ropa a través de dos métodos—poniendo contenedores de recolección en varias áreas de diferentes comunidades de la isla, y también a través de la exportación.

Naturalists are using technology like smartphone cameras and artificial intelligence to better track animal and plant conservation efforts across the United States. The online platform eButterfly allows users to share photos of butterflies that can inform scientists about how certain species’ ranges are shifting. Colorado Parks and Wildlife use a version of AI to identify and count species photographed by camera traps. While, AI could allow scientists to sort through more images and map out more complex ecological relationships, machine-learning algorithms take time to set up and large datasets to train.

Technological innovations are making single stream recycling more efficient. Allowing consumers to place their recyclable waste into a single container for disposal increases participation in recycling programs, but adds pressure on processing plants. Using AI vision technology allows machines to learn, identify, and sort materials efficiently.