Colorado's trash-sorting robot makes Time's top inventions list

• AMP One can pluck out organics for compost and pull plastics and aluminum for resale.

Why it matters: Even with curbside programs in place, 76% of residential recyclable materials still end up in landfills, according to a 2024 report from The Recycling Partnership.

What they're saying: "People are lazy — the recycling bin gets full and they put it in their garbage can," AMP CEO Tim Stuart told Time. "Our technology can extract that."

What's next: The company is pursuing a 20-year partnership with Southeastern Public Service Authority in Virginia to process half a million tons of trash a year — a model Stuart says could be replicated by cities nationwide.

The big picture: Time's honorees include next-gen tech like humanoid robots with consumer mainstays like Apple's AirPods Pro 3, and the newest versions of the Oura Ring and Nintendo Switch.