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By 2050, the world is expected to produce 3.4 billion tonnes of waste yearly, that is the same amount as 17 million blue whales!
With these staggering figures in mind, how can the world possibly stop and reduce the waste?
Today we are going to find out!
In the future, you hear all the talk about flying cars & hoverboards...but what about AI powered dustbins & packaging that walks itself to the recycling bins...who knows what the future of waste management technologies is going to bring to reduce waste, we just hope we are still here for the ride.
In this blog, we will be taking a step into the near future & taking a deeper look into some new and emerging tech for waste management.
So what will the future hold?
What tech is creeping out the shadows ready to take over the world?
We aren't talking about the California bin that plays music!
We are talking about the possibility of smart bins that are equipped with sensors that monitors the level of waste inside. They do actually have some of these that are used by councils across the UK.
How it works is: When a bin is nearly full, it will send a signal to the waste collectors, reminding them that the bin needs collecting.
It is basically a personal secretary for the bin & who says councils waste money!
No but in all seriousness, these smart bins do really help control the efficiency of waste management collections...this means that bins are emptied when needed but also helps the waste management companies optimise their routes, reducing their fuel consumption.
In many waste management companies around the UK, there are places that currently use robots & automation to sort through recycling, seperating plastics & other materials. These are used due to being able to work at a ridiculous sorting speed & accuracy.
With robots already being integrated into waste sorting lines and facilities, it won't be long before they slowly expand into other waste management matters.
From our point of view, we feel that robots and automation has it's place, but not out on the streets dealing with customers...there are too many questions around the safety of it.
How would they know when a cat under the truck or that Number 78 likes her bins put back exactly where they were taken from?
ChatGPT anyone?
With the emergence of AI and AI related data, it is slowly transforming how we manage our waste. With the help of Artificial Intelligence, waste companies can analyse vast amounts of data to predict waste patterns, peak collection times and more.
These predictions can allow cities to make waste collections more efficient...however, with UK council collections slowly reducing and more and more money being taken out of councils, do you think UK homeowners & UK cities will ever see this tech?
Who knows, there may even be AI robot bins, who scold you for the not putting the correct recycling in the recycling bin, or give you a gentle reminder of which color bins go out & which day when you walk past them,
Just think, now not only can you have your family scold you and shout you at every opportunity, but your 4 household bins can judge you every time you walk past...what a life ey!
We know that this blog is supposed to be about emerging technology...flashing lights, cool gadgets like rubbish powered cars or driveable bins, but, unfortunately, without future sustainable initiatives, we may not have a future!
First up, the future needs to bring with it more sustainable waste management practices and a massive reduce in waste consumption before it can even think about looking to reach for the tech & yes, technology can help along the way but something needs to change before we rely on technology alone to sort out our waste management issues.
Here is how it could be done:
Cities around the world are leading the waste management way...from San Francisco, USA's goal of achieving zero waste to landfills by 2030 to Japan, which has already become nearly waste-free through their strict recycling.
Countries like Sweden are the big dogs when it comes to waste habits, especially at turning waste into energy, with some countries even importing trash to fuel their plants.
Zero waste cities will hopefully become more and more common, meaning every city around the world will drastically reduce and eliminate waste being sent to landfill or the incinerator, promoting a more circular economy!
Waste Reduction Programs: Councils & governments need to encourage homeowners and businesses to reduce waste through bulk shopping, reusable containers etc.
Composting: Compost waste where possible. This not only create nutrient rich soil, but reduce waste sent to landfill.
Recycling Incentives: Such as places like Germany, all countries should reward their population for recycling through financial rewards. Germany offer money back when glass bottles are returned. So, you get rewarded for recycling & are also helping your country.
There is no negative!
Now, with the quality of technology improving decade on decade, year on year, it is no surprise that along the way waste disposal technology & methods have improved with it.
Once upon a time, rubbish was thrown onto the street or river, then into a hole in the ground, then burned....then, we just decided to pile it up into a big mound of waste, full of emissions & flammable gases.
We call these Landfills!
Yes, good old landfills.
There are plenty of landfills around the UK & the world, but with technology improving, it was only a matter of time until better methods were introduced:
Incineration: The Incinerator!
It does sounds like an 80s wrestler, but this thing does a lot of great work off the top rope.
This thing burns waste at high temps to generate heat, which is then converted into good old leccy!
What a machine.
Anaerobic Digestion: Picture loads of little types of bacteria, breaking down the waste in a sealed container without any oxygen. As there is no oxygen, this means that once the waste is broken down, it turns into different types of gas. The main gas is called biogas, which can be used to produce renewable energy or fertiliser.
Gasification: Just like how your partner turns last nights tea into a putrid early morning gas. This machine does the same but with waste!
It converts organic or fuel based materials into gases, such as hydrogen & carbon dioxide.
Pyrolysis: This process heats organic materials without oxygen, so picture a massive vacuum chamber. This then converts it into a mixture of gases & liquid fuels, which can be used for energy.
Reduces Landfill Dependency: Nobody wants us to keep piling waste on top of waste on top of waste and expecting it to be a good thing.
Generates Renewable Energy: Power those wind farms.
Decreases Greenhouse Gas Emissions: It isn't the cows calling all the greenhouse gases, no matter what the rumours say...it is the waste generation!
San Francisco, USA: Never mind the golden gate bridge, they are trying to make there waste management programs golden too. San Francisco want to achieve their zero waste goal by 2030, by banning single use plastics & a creating a more waste based education program.
Kamikatsu, Japan: Japan have always been ahead of a lot of countries when it comes to waste & recycling, and the small town of Kamikatsu is definitely leading the way. This town sorts its waste into 45 different items, with a recycling rate of 80%. They are already practically zero waste!
Hamburg, Germany: Hamburg like the rest of Germany have something called the Green Dot System. This system basically ensures all manufacturers use minimal packaging. All packaging with a green dot on them, means the company have paid into the national recycling system, which promotes recycling.
Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm have one of many waste management incentive programs, the main one being Pay To Throw. With this program, homeowners are charged on the amount of waste they produce. As they are charged for this, it encourages more homeowners to recycle & reuse to save money & create more sustainable waste management.
IKEA: We know there are renowned for their cardboard Olympic beds & easy to assemble flat-pack, but they are also renowned for their sustainable way of working when it comes to waste management.
They have committed to becoming circular business by 2030...meaning all of its products will be designed using recycled or renewable materials.
Patagonia: They are not only a trendy item of clothing, but made from 100% recycled materials. This is probably a reason why it is so popular!
Patagonia also encourages customers to repair, reuse and recycle their products through their Worn Wear Program. Customer can trade in their old gear (which is then recycled) for store credit. Encouraging more sustainable shopping.
Starbucks: Their prices may be outrageous, but their waste management programs are fantastic! Starbucks have:
Smart Waste Bins: You may not notice them in your cities & neighbourhoods, but they will be there, lurking in the background. Don't be afraid, they won't harm you but they will let councils know when it is time to be emptied.
Those smart, little waste bins.
Automated Sorting Systems: As we mentioned at the start of this blog. They are already in action, however there is always room for improvement. We believe that the amount of AI within waste companies will increase, especially on sorting lines.
Stricter Regulations on Single-Use Plastics: We know the Mcdonalds plastic straws are gone, and that is upsetting...but it could get a whole lot worse!
In the future, we can see more stricter regulations incoming on single use plastics, leaning towards reusable or recyclable alternatives in the waste management industry.
Incentives for Waste: Just like Germany, Sweden & the other countries. We feel this could potentially be the biggest step to take, especially for homeowners. Knowing some UK homeowners personally, the initial shock of having to pay more for your household waste may cause quite a stir, but the positives of saving money by recycling etc or receiving money for returning old glass bottles would really work well in the UK.
Zero Waste Movements: We predict that the zero waste movement will gain even more traction. More businesses will aim to achieve zero waste goals and hopefully more homeowners will champion their efforts as well.
Fully Automated Waste Collection: Could we be seeing automated collection trucks speeding down your quiet, cul-de-sac, equipped with robotics arm to lift and empty bins faster.
Would you agree with something like this? Do you think waste management bin trucks should always be operated manually?
Decentralised Waste Systems: All this means is that instead of local councils running the waste collections, we believe that with technology moving the way it is, that smaller private waste companies would be capable of moving and dealing with larger amounts of waste more efficiently.
Widespread Adoption of a Circular Economy: Just like the cities of San Francisco & Stockholm, a bigger push for recycling is coming. We predict that businesses and cities will have to adhere to new, improved recycling rules, using the latest technology.
International Waste Standards: New rules, New regulations. With new technology emerging, new rules will have to follow. This could mean bans on certain items or international standards being enforced around the globe.
You can thank your past self for giving this blog a read, and hopefully you are as intrigued as we are about what the future may bring for technology and waste management.
It isn't going to be as easy as creating a robot that tidies everything up for us, there is going to be plenty of technological bumps along the way, however, what we do know is that change can be for the better.
We personally don't want the self automated bin trucks or the self wheeling bins, but we do want more eco-friendly ways of disposing of waste or using AI to create the most efficient collection routes. for waste companies.
The future doesn't have to be scary, it can be exciting for once!
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