AI robot helps recover and recycle beverage cans
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Chicago's main recycling sorter has hired an AI robot to recover aluminum cans that otherwise would have gone to the landfill.
Why it matters: Reselling aluminum cans is the most lucrative part of the recycling business, so much so that it subsidizes the rest of the operation.
- But Illinois is the third-worst state (behind Texas and Florida) in the nation when it comes to recycling cans.
How it works: The Back of the Yards facility run by LRS, called The Exchange, started using the robot (among other tech) to capture more cans last year, and it has already snagged more than a million from the "last chance" line.
- The technology uses an optical scanner trained to spot aluminum in 10-15 milliseconds and then sends a signal to a robotic arm to grab it.
By the numbers: Aluminum cans are "infinitely recyclable," according to industry group the Can Manufacturers Institute, but the U.S. recycles just 45% of them.
- Making an aluminum can from recycled aluminum takes just 5% of the energy needed to make one from scratch, according to Crown Holdings can manufacturers.
- In as few as 60 days, aluminum can be back on the shelf as a new can in the market.
- Recycling one ton of aluminum cans offers three times more greenhouse gas benefits than recycling a ton of cardboard, according to a report sponsored by the Ball Corp.
Between the lines: Laws can strongly drive recycling rates. Nine out of the 10 states with the highest recycling rates have passed "recycling refund" laws giving consumers money for returning containers to the store.
- Michigan, which has a deposit program, tosses out 80% fewer cans than we do, industry analyses show.
- Illinois state Rep. Marty Moylan proposed a deposit law last year, but it was sent to the rules committee and hasn't gotten out.
💠Monica's thought bubble: After a recent two-hour tour and chat with experts at The Exchange, I came away with these tips for Chicagoans:
- Don't put recyclables in plastic bags before tossing them in the blue bins. They tangle up the sorting machines. If you must bag them, use open paper bags.
- If you put plastic Amazon envelopes in recycling, they'll be dumped in the garbage.
- Pizza boxes are OK to recycle. Just remove the greasy parts.
- Don't smash your aluminum cans before recycling because it makes it harder for the sorters to find and grab them.