Smart cameras and artificial intelligence technology have successfully contributed to a 23% decrease in contamination rates in curbside recycling bins in the Kelowna, B.C. area. The Central Okanagan Regional District staff credits this positive change to their implementation of new truck-mounted smart cameras equipped with AI-based visual recognition and GPS. This innovative system has the capability to identify and track unaccepted items, specifically targeting problematic items such as plastic bags, garbage, yard waste, and styrofoam in real time.
The pilot program, which lasted five months from October to March, was a collaborative effort involving the Regional District of Central Okanagan, member municipalities, Recycle BC, Environmental 360 Solutions, and Prairie Robotics. During this period, a total of 8,777 postcards were mailed out to residents as a result of the program. The cost of implementing this advanced technology into four recycling trucks amounted to $68,000, with Recycle BC covering half of the expenses.
Aside from achieving a significant 23% reduction in contaminants, the district’s report also indicates that a majority of Central Okanagan residents have a good understanding of what items should be placed in the blue bin for recycling purposes.
Notably, approximately 50% of residents are recycling correctly, with 35.6% adjusting their behavior after receiving a warning postcard. These statistics demonstrate the efficacy of the new smart camera system in raising awareness and influencing positive changes in recycling habits.
The report further revealed that 6.7% of households are considered “repeat offenders,” responsible for one-third of recycling contamination. The most common contaminants identified during the pilot program were flexible plastics (such as blue bags, wrappers, grocery bags, chip bags, and styrofoam), as well as garbage that had mistakenly been placed in recycling bins.
Cynthia Coates, the RDCO’s Supervisor of Solid Waste Services, emphasized the advantages of employing smart camera technology, which can cover a larger number of homes compared to manual inspections. This technology enables targeted education efforts in areas where it is most needed.
Going forward, the data collected from the pilot program will assist waste ambassadors in identifying and addressing high-contamination areas through physical cart checking. Coates expressed optimism about the program’s potential, stating, “The good news is the pilot has shown a huge percentage of our residents are recycling correctly, and this direct approach to recycling education can really help improve the quality of recycling by providing residents timely personalized feedback based on their actual recycling habits.”
FAQ
- What is the purpose of the smart cameras with AI technology?
- The smart cameras with AI technology are designed to identify and track unaccepted items in curbside recycling bins, such as plastic bags, garbage, yard waste, and styrofoam. They provide real-time feedback to residents.
- How effective was the pilot program in reducing contamination rates?
- The pilot program resulted in a 23% reduction in contamination rates in recycling bins.
- Which organizations were involved in the pilot program?
- The pilot program was a collaboration between the Regional District of Central Okanagan, member municipalities, Recycle BC, Environmental 360 Solutions, and Prairie Robotics.
- How much did it cost to implement the smart camera technology?
- The cost of adding smart camera technology to four recycling trucks was $68,000, with Recycle BC covering half of the expenses.
- What were the most common contaminants found during the pilot program?
- The most common contaminants were flexible plastics (such as blue bags, wrappers, grocery bags, chip bags, and styrofoam) and garbage that had been mistakenly placed in recycling bins.
Sources: globalnews.ca
Smart cameras and artificial intelligence technology have made a significant impact on curbside recycling in the Kelowna, B.C. area. The use of new truck-mounted smart cameras equipped with AI-based visual recognition and GPS has resulted in a 23% decrease in contamination rates in recycling bins. This innovative system can identify and track unaccepted items in real-time, specifically targeting problematic items like plastic bags, garbage, yard waste, and styrofoam.
The pilot program, which ran for five months from October to March, was a collaborative effort involving the Regional District of Central Okanagan, member municipalities, Recycle BC, Environmental 360 Solutions, and Prairie Robotics. Throughout the program, a total of 8,777 postcards were sent to residents. The cost of implementing this advanced technology into four recycling trucks amounted to $68,000, with Recycle BC covering half of the expenses.
Apart from the significant reduction in contaminants, the district’s report also indicates that a majority of Central Okanagan residents have a good understanding of what items should be placed in the blue bin for recycling purposes. Approximately 50% of residents are recycling correctly, with 35.6% adjusting their behavior after receiving a warning postcard. These statistics demonstrate the effectiveness of the new smart camera system in raising awareness and influencing positive changes in recycling habits.
The report further revealed that 6.7% of households are considered “repeat offenders” responsible for one-third of recycling contamination. The most common contaminants identified during the pilot program were flexible plastics (such as blue bags, wrappers, grocery bags, chip bags, and styrofoam), as well as garbage that had been mistakenly placed in recycling bins.
Cynthia Coates, the RDCO’s Supervisor of Solid Waste Services, emphasized the advantages of employing smart camera technology, which can cover a larger number of homes compared to manual inspections. This technology enables targeted education efforts in areas where it is most needed.
Moving forward, the data collected from the pilot program will assist waste ambassadors in identifying and addressing high-contamination areas through physical cart checking. Coates expressed optimism about the program’s potential, stating, “The good news is the pilot has shown a huge percentage of our residents are recycling correctly, and this direct approach to recycling education can really help improve the quality of recycling by providing residents timely personalized feedback based on their actual recycling habits.”
This initiative highlights the growing emphasis on utilizing technology and artificial intelligence in waste management. With the success of the pilot program in Kelowna, it is likely that other regions and municipalities will consider implementing similar smart camera systems to improve recycling practices and reduce contamination rates.
Sources: globalnews.ca