Tacoma to Use AI Cameras for Recycling Education Pilot
The city of Tacoma, Washington, is embarking on an innovative two-year pilot program, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its residential recycling efforts. This initiative will deploy AI-powered cameras on recycling trucks, designed to identify items incorrectly placed in curbside bins, with the ultimate goal of educating residents and significantly reducing contamination in the waste stream.
Funded by a substantial $1.8 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Recycling Education and Outreach Grant Program, the program marks a proactive step by Tacoma to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its recycling system. The sophisticated cameras are initially trained to spot common non-recyclable materials, such as certain types of plastic bags, but possess the capacity to learn and identify new contaminants over time as the program progresses.
When the AI system detects an improper item in a recycling bin, the corresponding household will receive a postcard. These educational mailers will feature images of the contaminated material, providing clear visual feedback on what should not have been included. Preston Peck, a sustainability analyst with the city, clarified that while most postcards will be specific, some might be more generic if a direct link between a bin and a customer cannot be definitively confirmed during the review process. This tailored approach aims to provide actionable information directly to residents, fostering better recycling habits.
The technology underpinning this program is supplied by Prairie Robotics, a Canadian firm with a track record of implementing similar solutions across North America. City officials emphasize a strong commitment to privacy throughout the program. Peck assured that the cameras are programmed to focus exclusively on documenting the items collected within the truck, not on people or private property. Furthermore, any images inadvertently capturing faces or license plates are automatically blurred before being uploaded, ensuring personal privacy is protected. The collected data will be stored securely and safely within the United States, with an explicit guarantee that it will not be sold or shared with any third parties. Residents will only see images of identified contaminants on their postcards, with all other elements blurred out.
Currently, one recycling truck is equipped with these AI cameras, covering various pick-up routes across the city. The program is slated for a phased rollout over the next year, with plans to expand the technology to a total of seven recycling trucks. This initial two-year grant period is set to conclude around June 2027, by which time Tacoma hopes to have made significant strides in reducing recycling contamination through this data-driven educational approach. The initiative represents a forward-thinking application of technology to address a persistent environmental challenge, aiming to transform recycling from a mere collection service into a more informed and sustainable community practice.