In an increasingly unpredictable world, It is hard to expect what’s next. The development in the recycling industry is affecting in a good way worldwide, especially with the existence of Technology. The more advancement in technology, the more solutions for recycling problems, and the more the future is sustainable.
Here is a closer look at some recent and future recycling trends.
Metaverse
The impact of metaverse will reach the recycling and waste management sectors. With this new evolution, more people will be at home during the average workday, and they will have all the time, resources, and ability to recycle correctly – if equipped with the right tools and education.
Rise In The Use Of 3D Printing
3D printing is becoming popular and will become even more popular in the future. Many companies nowadays make 3D printed furniture from recycled materials, and we would see the 3D printers used by recycling facilities to recycle plastic bottles cardboard boxes, and other.
Advanced City Recycling Programs And Rise In The Number Of Zero Waste Cities
We are more likely to see zero waste cities in the future where all of the waste is either recycled or composted. With the growing trends of environmentally sustainable practices, innovations to existing recycling programs are getting discovered, and businesses are more knowledgeable about how recycling programs work and how they can improve them.
Composting
Composting has become a popular way to deal with organic waste, such as food waste, and will become mandatory in many countries. California is one of the countries that created a law requiring food-wasting businesses such as restaurants, hospitals, and hotels to recycle wasted food. In the future, there will be more composting initiatives.
Cigarettes Recycling
Cigarettes are one of the items that people will be looking to recycle in large numbers. Cigarette butts contain plastic that is difficult to recycle, and that’s why we find them a lot on streets and waterways. Companies nowadays are developing a process for breaking down cigarette butts and turning them into useful products.
Shift Into A Circular Economy
Many cities have started shifting from a linear economy where materials are used once before disposal to a circular one, which will minimize the use of raw materials, energy, and water. Cities need better waste management and more usage of digital technologies to accelerate the circular shift.
Plastic Recycling Trends
Plastic waste is still an environmental issue because it is difficult to be recycled. Scientists and researchers are still discovering sustainable ways to recycle plastic and convert the linear economy into a circular economy. So far, Purecycle technology by john layman presents a major development in recycling, Especially focusing on polypropylene which is the second-most used plastic worldwide, yet only 1 percent is currently recycled.
Packaging will continue to change into recyclable forms. There will be more recyclable versions of common everyday throw-away items, and this will decrease the use of packages made from many layers, each recycled separately, If they are recyclable.
Biodegradable or environmentally friendly plastics made from sustainable materials have been around for a while, and they are becoming more popular.
Smart Waste Management
The traditional ways of recycling are not enough anymore and that’s why digitalization is crucial even though it is still in the innovation phase. Digitalization helps in shifting waste management systems towards more sustainable materials, reducing cost, improving recycling, facilitating the use of recyclates by producers, and consumers, and improving waste sourcing options for recyclers. Here are some innovative technologies revolutionizing waste management
More Use Of Artificial Intelligence
Waste management started using AI, and we are likely to see more AI used in this field. One of the AI usages will be to predict how much waste will be produced in the future, to help in planning for future needs. Another usage of AI is in the recycling robots, designed to identify and sort recyclable materials, increase efficiency and reduce the need for human workers.
Computer Technology
Computer technology will be used in several ways to help in waste management, such as using robots at recycling facilities to sort the waste, GPS-operated compactors, and chipped recycle bins that record which households are recycling whenever the hauler tips the bins, and other methods.
Smart Waste Bins
Companies and communities started using smart waste bins that use artificial intelligence to automatically sort recyclables into separate sections, which helps reduce improper recycling and increases recycling rates. In addition to that, companies can also install waste level sensors in bins to collect and store data on fill levels, which will help them predict how often bins need to be emptied and prevent the overflowing of public containers. The solar-powered trash compactor is one of the smart bins that read waste bin fill -level and triggers automatic compaction of the waste to increase bin capacity up to 5-8 times.
Advanced Technologies In Trucks
The weighing mechanisms installed in garbage trucks can help cities to predict fill levels and know how often they need to send their trucks. The recycling industry will also use the trucks to return valuable resources found in the trash back to manufacturers. In addition, companies are investing in advanced systems and optimization software and now employing automated trucks installed with robotic arms to save time and effort.
Pneumatic Waste Pipes
With the population growth, the need for waste management solutions to deal with the increasing amount of trash is essential. Many cities started installing pneumatic waste disposal bins connected to a series of underground pipes. Trashes travel through the pipes to a waste collection plant and are sorted away. This system reduces energy costs and increases overall efficiency.
Waste Management And Recycling Apps
Waste management companies have created user-friendly mobile apps to make recycling easier for individuals by giving them information on recycling rates and center locations. Apps also help manage waste efficiently by facilitating quick service, extra pickups, and bill payments through push notifications.
Turning waste into energy
One of the most significant innovations in the waste management industry is turning waste into power. Governments encourage this through tax benefits and incentives. There are several ways to convert waste into renewable natural gas that can be used as an alternative for fuel and reduce greenhouse emissions.
More and more trends will shape our world, with changes affecting our daily lives and improving the world economically, environmentally, and in all other sectors. We hope that these trends will change the world into a better sustainable future.
You can be part of this change, start recycling and book your pick up today