New AI-Assisted Sorting Technologies to Boost Plastic Recycling

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The implementation of cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted sorting technologies and techniques informed by process systems engineering methodologies could enhance plastic recycling, according to a review paper written by researchers at the University of Buffalo. Notably, almost three-fourths of the plastic produced worldwide ends up in landfills or the environment, where it poses major health hazards.

The study's corresponding author, Aurora del Carmen Munguía-Lopez, Ph.D., stated that additional research and technological advancements are required to achieve sustainability in the handling of plastics. According to Lopez, it is necessary to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of all holistic and comprehensive techniques over the course of their whole life cycle.

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The istudy came to the conclusion that doing away with plastics entirely is not a practical solution. Plastics are widely employed in many different industries, including textiles, electronics, buildings, and packaging. They also have many positive effects on the environment. It stated that alternatives to the current unsustainable plastics management must be found worldwide.

The paper referenced studies on the application of AI and machine learning to the management of plastics. It made reference to the sorting model created by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which on some particular plastics was able to achieve a classification accuracy of over 87% and even 100%.