A new AI-powered recycling solution is streamlining waste operations and improving material recovery at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Developed by alumni-founded startup rStream, the mobile system uses computer vision and artificial intelligence to automate sorting, helping institutions address common inefficiencies in traditional recycling programs.
Automated Waste Sorting Using AI and Computer Vision
The rStream trailer unit is designed to process up to one ton of waste per hour, separating recyclables from trash in real time. The system identifies items on a conveyor belt and automatically redirects them into appropriate waste streams—recovering materials that would otherwise be lost in landfill-bound trash.
Unlike many conventional systems that only clean up recycling contamination, rStream also extracts recoverable items from general waste. This two-way sorting model helps reduce material loss and enhances overall recovery rates—critical benefits for organizations looking to improve sustainability metrics without scaling up infrastructure.
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