Recycling can be tricky. This ‘TrashBot’ at a Pa. airport makes it easy.

Apr 29, 2023

The TrashBot from CleanRobotics is located in the public area in baggage claim at Pittsburgh International Airport. Using sensors, TrashBot identifies and sorts waste. It also generates information to educate the person discarding the trash. (Photo provided by Pittsburgh International Airport/Allegheny County Airport Authority)

Many people want to recycle.

But, it can be tricky.

Pittsburgh International Airport and CleanRobotics have created a partnership to use an AI recycling bin called TrashBot that makes recycling easy.

Customers do not have to know what is and what isn't recyclable or even what those recycling numbers on containers mean.

"A lot of people want to do the right thing, but they need to know, specifically, what the right thing is, and that thing has to be easy," said Charles Yhap, cofounder and CEO of CleanRobotics.

CleanRobotics said TrashBot will "sort passenger waste and recyclables with 96% accuracy."

TrashBot sorts waste at the point of disposal. One TrashBot unit is being used in the public area of baggage claim at Pittsburgh International Airport.

"Through AI and robotics, TrashBot's technology identifies and sorts the item into its corresponding bin, reducing contamination and recovering more recyclables. TrashBot is ideal for high-traffic areas where contamination inhibits successful recycling and composting," CleanRobotics said in a news release.

According to the airport, TrashBot is a silver box with one opening and an LED screen mounted above it.

"When someone throws something into the opening, it drops into a chamber full of sensors. TrashBot identifies the item, determines if it is recyclable or not, and moves it to an appropriate bin inside. When the bins get full, they notify cleaning crews via an app," the airport said.

The screen will provide a message to the customer related to the item being discarded.

"For example, if someone throws away a water bottle that still contains some liquid, TrashBot will explain that the leftover water needs to be drained before the bottle is recyclable, which many people don't know."

The project is facilitated by the airport's xBridge Innovation Center launched in 2020 for the airport to serve as a "proving ground for technologies and startups that solves for needs in today's airports and tests and incubates strategic technologies for the future. The proof-of-concept and pilot site showcases new technologies in a real-world operating environment."

READ MORE: Almost $15 million in counterfeit money seized in Philadelphia by customs officers.

The TrashBot from CleanRobotics is located in the public area in baggage claim at Pittsburgh International Airport. Using sensors, TrashBot identifies and sorts waste. It also generates information to educate the person discarding the trash. (Photo provided by Pittsburgh International Airport/Allegheny County Airport Authority)

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