$3.5M To Sort Trash — With AI

Understanding what we throw away allows us to better implement reuse & recycle programs. (Image: Greyparrot)

Greyparrot, a startup that automates waste composition analysis using AI-powered computer vision software, announced additional funding of $1.1M, bringing their total seed round to $3.5M. Greyparrot’s system provides waste analytics and new insights previously unavailable to waste managers, producers and regulators.

Why does this matter?

• In 2017, the US alone produced over 35M tons of plastic. However, with recycling programs in place, only 8.4% of plastics were recycled. On top of that, only about half of America’s exported plastic waste is still being accepted by foreign markets.
• Most plastic is not possible to recycle. Plastic waste is mismanaged and can end up in the environment, getting incinerated, or being sent to landfill.
• Plastic still has value after being used, and should be recovered to get the most value out of limited resources.

What’s next?

• There is growing demand from consumers, brands, governments, and waste managers to transition to a more circular economy, specifically waste pickup, landfill diversion, and material sales.
• We will likely see an increase in recycling programs, which may include government subsidies and/or incentives. On this front, it will be a combination of policy and partnership for collaboration.
• There will be a packaging revolution — re-usable packaging, like Haagen Dazs partnering with Loop, and eco-friendly packaging, like Diageo’s recent announcement to try out a plastic-free bottle.
• There will be opportunity to optimize waste management with digitization and automation with both new and current recycling programs.

This story has been featured in The Impact, an email newsletter that covers the latest news in the renewables and cleantech space. Check it out and subscribe here.