According to the World Bank, global waste is expected to increase by 70% by 2050. Traditional waste management systems struggle to keep up with this rapid growth, leading to significant environmental challenges. Against that background, companies have developed innovations using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (LM) to tackle the problem. These technologies not only improve sorting accuracy and efficiency but also engage communities through gamification, turning recycling into a rewarding and educational activity.

Binit, a Finnish startup, has developed an AI-powered platform that tracks and manages household waste through a gamified system. Users can scan their waste items to receive immediate feedback on correct disposal methods. The platform awards points and badges for proper recycling, fostering a sense of accomplishment and competition among users. Binit is actively piloting projects in Austin, NYC, San Francisco, LA, Helsinki, and Berlin, where it collects and provides transparent data points. The results are impressive: for example, residents in the Austin trial managed to reduce household waste per person by 38% in just three weeks.

Poland-based Bin-e, co-funded by the European Union, combines AI and ML with smart bin technology to optimize waste sorting. Bin-e’s smart bins are equipped with sensors and cameras that automatically identify and sort waste into appropriate categories. The system uses machine learning algorithms to improve sorting accuracy over time, reducing contamination and enhancing recycling efficiency. Their solution is already being applied across various industries with notable clients such as IKEA, Carrefour, and Volvo.