Artificial intelligence has been taught to recognise waste for recycling

UK start-up Greyparrot has created an artificial intelligence system designed to analyse recycling and waste management businesses.

Here's What We Know

Greyparrot is installing cameras over the conveyor belts of some 50 recycling and waste businesses in Europe, using artificial intelligence software to analyse the waste that passes through them in real time.

Over the past year, AI has made great strides. However, according to Mikela Druckman, founder of the startup, it is still difficult to train the system to recognise rubbish.

"A product like a Coke bottle, once it goes into the bin, will be crumpled, crushed and dirty, and makes the problem much more complex from an AI standpoint."

Greyparrot's systems currently track 32 billion waste objects a year. The company has created a huge digital waste map based on the data it collects. This information can be used by waste managers to improve efficiency. It will also be useful in other sectors, Druckman believes.

"It is allowing regulators to have a much better understanding of what's happening with the material, what materials are problematic, and it is also influencing packaging design," she said.

Source: BBC.