5 ways AI is revolutionising MRF operations and the recycling industry

Following the buzz from Paris' AI Action Summit, the excitement surrounding AI’s potential in the recycling industry continues to grow. But what exactly makes AI such a transformative technology for Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and the wider recycling sector?

We’ve broken down the top 5 reasons AI is set to revolutionise your MRF operations and boost recycling efficiency.

1. AI is more accurate, improving recycling efficiency

One of the key advantages of AI is its accuracy. When fully trained on your specific use case, AI models can achieve over 95% accuracy in identifying and labelling materials. This means faster, more precise sorting, leading to higher recovery rates and improved material purity. With AI, you can ensure that every item is sorted correctly, reducing errors and increasing overall recycling efficiency.

2. AI recognises more than just material types

AI and computer vision go beyond simple material recognition. They can analyse the finer aspects of an item, distinguishing between materials that appear similar but have different values. For example, AI can tell the difference between aluminium cans and aluminium foil, ensuring that each item is sorted according to its proper material category. This deep level of analysis helps improve sorting accuracy, ensures higher-quality recycled materials and allows you to optimise your MRF's recovered value.

3. Solving the black plastic challenge

Black plastic has long been one of the trickiest materials to sort. Traditional sorting methods often struggle to detect black plastics due to their colour, which absorbs infrared light and makes them invisible to many sorting systems. However, AI-powered systems overcome this challenge by using advanced recognition technology that works independently of colour. This allows for more effective sorting of black plastics and other materials that have historically been difficult to process.

4. AI adapts fast, making MRFs future-proof

AI doesn’t just learn once and stop, it continuously adapts. As your material streams evolve and new waste types emerge, AI models can automatically adjust to these changes without requiring costly reconfigurations or system downtime. This makes AI-driven sorting systems incredibly flexible, ensuring that your MRF stays responsive to market changes and future regulatory shifts.

‍5. AI isn’t just about sorting, it’s also about optimising

AI isn’t limited to sorting materials, it also powers advanced reporting and analytics. By processing large volumes of data quickly, AI can help you optimise operations, enhance quality control, and even identify new, profitable sorting streams. This helps ensure that no valuable opportunity is missed, and that your MRF runs as efficiently as possible.

AI is more than just a trend. It’s driving better recycling systems, higher recovery rates, and a critical transition toward a circular economy. By incorporating AI-powered sorting technologies into your MRF, you’re not just improving your operations, you’re also making your MRF more resilient.

But not all AI-powered sorting solution have been created equal. Sorted Light AI-powered sorting solution combines hardware and software to deliver the insights you need to optimise your MRF’s performance while upskilling your pickers, increasing pick rates by up to 50%.

Ready to leverage the power of AI in your MRF? Get in touch with us today to learn more!

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