ESG Intelligence Platform

Technology Drives Sustainability Innovation

Technology companies launching new sustainability solutions

AI Technology Revolutionizes Plastic Recycling By Accepting More Container Types
September 14, 2024
AI generated representative image.

AI Technology Revolutionizes Plastic Recycling: Rumpke’s New Facility Accepts More Container Types

In a significant advancement for recycling technology, Rumpke Waste and Recycling has announced the expansion of its recycling capabilities, allowing customers to recycle a wider range of plastic containers. This development comes with the launch of their new state-of-the-art facility in Columbus, Ohio, which employs innovative artificial intelligence sorting technology. Starting November 1, Rumpke clients can begin recycling several types of plastic containers that were previously difficult to process, marking a substantial step forward in reducing plastic waste.

The new AI-powered facility enables Rumpke to accept clear plastic carry-out containers, clear plastic fruit, berry, and lettuce containers, and clear plastic egg containers. These items, often referred to as “clamshell” containers, have long been a challenge for recycling facilities due to their unique shapes and materials. Andrew Rumpke, President at Rumpke, emphasized the significance of this advancement: “The new technology at the Rumpke Recycling & Resource Center allows us to separate and process new types of recycling from the stream, our latest addition is the clamshell container.”

The technology behind this expansion is truly cutting-edge. Jeff Snyder, senior vice president of recycling and sustainability at Rumpke, explained, “New artificial intelligence and optic technology allows Rumpke to identify and sort plastic clamshells from other types of plastics within the recycling stream.” This AI-driven sorting process not only increases the types of materials that can be recycled but also improves the overall efficiency and accuracy of the recycling process. Once sorted, these plastic containers are sent to partner manufacturers where they are reduced to plastic pellets, which can then be used to create new products, effectively closing the loop in plastic recycling.

Rumpke’s new recycling center is a marvel of modern recycling technology. As the largest and most advanced facility of its kind in North America, it boasts impressive capabilities. The 226,000-square-foot facility has increased its processing capacity from 160,000 to 250,000 tons per year, with materials now being processed twice as fast at 60 tons per hour. Perhaps most impressively, the facility achieves a material recovery rate of 98%, significantly reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. The center is also designed with the future in mind, featuring adaptable equipment for future upgrades and including a research and development area. Additionally, it houses a 3,000-square-foot education center developed in partnership with COSI, offering public tours to educate the community about recycling processes and environmental sustainability.

Source: MSN

Technologies Used:

  • Artificial Intelligence: Core technology used for identifying and sorting different types of plastic containers.
  • Optic Technology: Works in conjunction with AI to accurately sort plastics in the recycling stream.
  • Advanced Sorting Equipment: High-speed machinery capable of processing 60 tons of material per hour.

Companies Involved:

  • Rumpke Waste and Recycling: The company behind the new AI-powered recycling facility. Rumpke has implemented the innovative technology to expand its recycling capabilities and is responsible for operating the advanced recycling center.

Sustainability Focus:

  • Waste Reduction: The facility significantly expands the types of plastic containers that can be recycled, reducing the amount of plastic waste sent to landfills. With a 98% material recovery rate, the facility maximizes the amount of recyclable materials that can be reused in new products.
  • Energy Efficiency: The increased processing speed and capacity of the new facility likely result in more efficient use of energy in the recycling process.

SDGs Impacted:

  • SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Directly contributes to sustainable waste management and efficient use of natural resources.
  • SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): Demonstrates the application of innovative technologies to improve industrial processes and environmental sustainability.
  • SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Enhances waste management capabilities, contributing to more sustainable urban living.

Geographic Focus: United States

Industry Focus: Environmental Technology

Disclaimer

This web site is developed and maintained by ESG Intelligence Private Limited (hereinafter ‘Company’). The use of this website is at the sole risk of the user.

The inclusion of experts on this website or in any professional directory on this website does not imply recommendation or endorsement of such expert nor is such information intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any expert contained therein.

All information on this website is provided on an “as-is” basis and the Company disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose as to the results you may achieve on account your use of this website, as to the results you may achieve on account of any relationship you elect to create with an expert. The Company does not make any representations or warranties regarding any expert, including but not limited to, any expert’s ability to obtain a favorable result for you. The Company does not guaranty in any services or goods associated with this website will be error-free or uninterrupted, or that any service or good will continue to be available. Any material downloaded or otherwise obtained through the use of the service is done at your own discretion and risk and that you will be solely responsible for any damage to your computer system or loss of data that results from the download of any such material. No information, whether oral or written, obtained by you from the Company or through or from this website shall create any warranty not expressly stated.

Though all efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and currency of the content on this website, the same should not be construed as a statement of law or used for any legal purposes or otherwise. The Company, its management and/or its employees hereby expressly disowns and repudiates any claims or liabilities (including but not limited to any third party claim or liability, of any nature, whatsoever) in relation to the accuracy, completeness, usefulness and real-time of any information and contents available at this website, and against any intended purposes (of any kind whatsoever) by use thereof, by the user/s (whether used by user/s directly or indirectly). Users are advised to verify/check any information and contents, with the relevant source(s) and obtain any appropriate professional advice, before acting thereon as may be provided, from time to time, in the website.

Portions of the content presented on this website have been generated using advanced artificial intelligence tools, including but not limited to ChatGPT, Bing, and other generative AI models. While the Company strives for accuracy and relevance, the nature of AI-generated content means that it may occasionally contain inaccuracies, omissions, or may not always reflect the most current information. The Company recommends users to exercise discretion, and cross-reference information from other sources when making decisions based on the content provided on this Website.  The Company will not be responsible for any decisions made based on information provided on this Website. 

The Company makes no representations or warranty whatsoever about any other web site which you may access through this one or third party content.  The Company shall not be responsible for and assumes no liability for any mistakes, misstatements of law, defamation, omissions, falsehood, obscenity, pornography or profanity in the statements, opinions, representations or any other form of content contained in any third-party content appearing on the website. You understand that the information and opinions in the third-party content on this website represent solely the thoughts of the author and is neither endorsed by the Company nor does it reflect the beliefs of the Company. When you access any website, please understand that it is independent from the Company, and the Company has no control over the content on that website. In addition, a link to any other web site does not mean that the Company endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content, or use, of such web site. It is up to you to take precautions to ensure that whatever you select for your use is free of such items as viruses, worms and other items of destructive nature. The Company hereby expressly disclaims any liability and claims against, any information, materials, products or services posted or offered at any of the third party sites linked to this website.

This website shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the applicable laws of India.

The Company exclusively reserves the rights, to change or modify or alter any of the policies available on this website (whether completely or partially), from time to time, at its discretion, without any objections, interruptions, grounds, claims or liabilities of any third party/users.

If your company is using technology to drive sustainability, we will be happy to tell your story

10 + 10 =

Pin It on Pinterest