AI Recycling Pilot Programs

The City of Tacoma has launched a pilot program using AI-equipped cameras on recycling trucks to cut down on contaminated curbside bins. The goal is to help residents understand what can—and can’t—be recycled.

Starting August 4, one truck has been fitted with the smart cameras, and the city aims to expand to seven trucks by year-end. The cameras scan the bin’s serial number before emptying it, then snap a photo if any contaminants are detected, allowing the city to track and address recycling mistakes.

“We're constantly trying to educate residents on how to be better recyclers because that reduces our overall contamination with our processors,” said Preston Peck, senior sustainability analyst with Tacoma Environmentla Services. “If we can reduce that, we can reduce our overall cost to recycle in Tacoma.”

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