How excited are you about the future? If your answer is ‘Not so much’ you may want to read this article. There are interesting things ahead, and you do not want to miss out on them!
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are about to land in the recycling industry and waste management sector, and while some interesting innovations are already commonplace, others are in the early stages of development.
KwikSweep, as London’s leader in waste disposal, is excited about the integration of new technologies in the recycling world, and is ready to embrace future opportunities in this field.
So, here is a brief account of the future of recycling, according to KwikSweep!
- RFID Tracking
Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology uses electromagnetic fields to identify, track, and analyse tags that are manually attached to objects. In the waste and recycling industries, RFID is already being used on containers, but the future of this technology is bound to go further. Think of bins, for instance. These, if fitted with RFID fill-level sensors, will give local councils the chance to monitor the amount of material they contain, and allow for more efficient waste collection.
- Robotics
Robotic arms, equipped with AI and on-board cameras, are already proving they can increase the efficiency of recycling. However, better robots are on the horizon, and their arrival will revolutionise the recycling industry. For instance, an American company (AMP) has developed technology that “understands this is a carton, even though it may be covered in dirt, even though it might be torn, or even though it might be half-stuck under some other piece of material.” This technology has the potential to make recycling quicker, more efficient, and cheaper.
- Attention!
These developments, though exciting, are not merely positive. Stephen Hawking, in this regard, once said “I fear that AI may replace humans altogether” and we should be wary of his words. Even the economist John Maynard Keynes said that our working weeks could shrink to 15 hours by 2030. Also, according to PWC, 60% of people employed in the “water, sewage, and waste industry” are at risk of job automation. Fear not, though. The rise of AI and IoT will create jobs in other industries, such as technology.
At KwikSweep, all we care about is the environment and waste disposal. So, we welcome a more tech-oriented future, if this is to bring improvements in the field of recycling.
In the meantime, we like to remain focus of junk removal. So, if you need a hand with a house clearance, or waste in general, get in touch with us!
