A 3D vision system, also known as a 3D vision sensor or 3D imaging system, is a technology that enables machines to perceive and understand the three-dimensional structure of objects in their environment. Unlike traditional 2D vision systems, which provide information about the two-dimensional appearance of objects, 3D vision systems capture depth information, allowing for more accurate spatial understanding. Learn more on EverestLabs 3D vision system.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms are used to enhance the vision identification and sorting of different types of materials at high speeds. This technology enables recycling facilities to process waste more effectively, reduce contamination rates and increase the amount of materials that can be recycled. Additionally, AI-driven analytics can optimize recycling operations by predicting waste volumes and composition, facilitating better planning and resource allocation.
A baler is a machine used to compress and bind materials into bales for easier handling, storage, and transportation. Baling machines are commonly used in the recycling industry to process materials such as paper, cardboard, plastics, metals, and textiles.
Bale tracing is the process of tracking individual bales of recyclable materials throughout the recycling supply chain. It involves assigning unique identifiers or codes to each bale at the point of collection or processing and then using these identifiers to monitor the bales' movement and processing stages. Bale tracing enables recyclers to maintain transparency and accountability in their operations by documenting the origin, composition, and destination of each bale. This information can be valuable for quality control, compliance with regulations, and providing assurance to customers and stakeholders about the responsible management of recyclable materials. Additionally, bale tracing can help identify and address any issues or inefficiencies in the recycling process.
Balcones Recycling is a recycling company based in Austin, Texas, specializing in comprehensive recycling services for businesses, municipalities, and individuals. They offer recycling solutions for various materials, including paper, cardboard, plastics, metals, and glass. Balcones Recycling is known for its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, aiming to divert recyclable materials from landfills and promote recycling practices in the communities they serve. They provide collection, processing, and distribution services to help their clients manage their waste in an eco-friendly manner.
Recycling contamination refers to the presence of non-recyclable materials or substances in a recycling stream, which can compromise the quality and value of recyclable materials and disrupt the recycling process.
Recycling compliance refers to the adherence to regulations, standards, and guidelines related to recycling practices and requirements. This can encompass various aspects, including legal requirements set forth by government entities, industry standards established by trade associations or organizations, and internal policies and procedures implemented by businesses or institutions.
The Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) is the trade association representing the metal can manufacturing industry in the United States. It serves as the voice of the metal packaging industry, advocating for policies and initiatives that support the interests of can manufacturers and their customers. Add “To learn more about our partnership and grants provided by CMI read our case study.
Cloud data refers to information that is stored, processed, and accessed over the internet on remote servers hosted by cloud service providers. Instead of being stored on local computers or on-premises servers, data is stored in the cloud, which consists of data centers located in various geographic regions.
Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) is a set of criteria used by investors, companies, and stakeholders to evaluate the sustainability and societal impact of a business's operations and practices. ESG factors encompass a broad range of environmental, social, and governance issues that can affect the long-term performance and reputation of companies.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), sometimes referred to as Extended Producer Responsibility programs (EPR programs), is a policy approach aimed at shifting the responsibility for managing the end-of-life disposal of products from consumers and local governments back to the manufacturers and producers of those products. The concept recognizes that producers have a significant role in the environmental impact of their products throughout their entire lifecycle, including after they are no longer useful to consumers. Read more about EPR here.
Electronic waste or e-waste, refers to discarded electronic devices and equipment that have reached the end of their useful life or are no longer wanted by their owners.
Edge AI, short for Edge Artificial Intelligence, refers to the deployment of artificial intelligence algorithms and models directly on edge devices, such as sensors, cameras, smartphones, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, and other embedded systems. Unlike traditional AI systems that rely on centralized cloud computing infrastructure for data processing and analysis, edge AI brings intelligence and computational power closer to the data source, enabling real-time decision-making and analysis at the edge of the network. See more on EverestLabs Edge AI technology.
Eddy currents, also known as Foucault currents, are electrical currents that circulate within conductive materials in response to changes in magnetic fields. These currents are induced by the interaction between a moving magnetic field and the conductive material, according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction.
The Edison Award is an annual competition that honors innovation and excellence in the development of new products and services across various industries. Named after the prolific inventor Thomas Edison, the awards recognize and celebrate advancements in technology, design, sustainability, and social impact. Learn about EverestLabs Edison Award.
Recycling fiber lines typically refer to the process of recycling paper and cardboard products. These products are broken down into fibers through various mechanical and chemical processes to create new paper and cardboard materials.
Recycling feedstock refers to the raw materials or inputs that are collected and processed for recycling into new products or materials. These feedstocks typically consist of recyclable materials recovered from various sources, such as households, businesses, and industrial operations. The goal of recycling feedstock is to divert waste from landfills, conserve natural resources, and promote a circular economy by reintroducing recycled materials back into the production cycle.
A Material Recycling Facility (MRF) is a specialized facility designed to process and sort recyclable materials collected from residential, commercial, and industrial sources. The primary function of a MRF is to separate, recover, and prepare recyclable materials for resale or further processing. MRFs play a crucial role in the recycling industry by enabling the efficient recovery of valuable materials and diverting them from landfills. Learn more about EverestLabs MRFs customers.
Material characterization is the process of analyzing and understanding the properties, structure, composition, and behavior of materials. It involves a variety of techniques and methods to study materials at different scales, from macroscopic to microscopic, with the aim of gaining insights into their physical, chemical, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical properties. Learn more about how EverestLabs does material characterization.
Machine learning (ML) is a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that focuses on the development of algorithms and statistical models that enable computers to learn from and make predictions or decisions based on data, without being explicitly programmed to do so. EverestLabs use machine learning and AI in vision detection systems for material identification and classification.
A Material Recycling Facility (MRF) is a specialized facility designed to process and sort recyclable materials collected from residential, commercial, and industrial sources. The primary function of a MRF is to separate, recover, and prepare recyclable materials for resale or further processing. MRFs play a crucial role in the recycling industry by enabling the efficient recovery of valuable materials and diverting them from landfills. Learn more about EverestLabs MRFs customers.
Material characterization is the process of analyzing and understanding the properties, structure, composition, and behavior of materials. It involves a variety of techniques and methods to study materials at different scales, from macroscopic to microscopic, with the aim of gaining insights into their physical, chemical, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical properties. Learn more about how EverestLabs does material characterization.
Machine learning (ML) is a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that focuses on the development of algorithms and statistical models that enable computers to learn from and make predictions or decisions based on data, without being explicitly programmed to do so. EverestLabs use machine learning and AI in vision detection systems for material identification and classification.
On-Premise Compute Model refers to a computing infrastructure where hardware resources, servers and networking equipment, are installed, operated, and maintained on premises of the recycling facility. EverestLabs manages all aspects of the computing environment, including hardware procurement, installation, configuration, and maintenance.
A type of polyester material that is widely used in the manufacturing of synthetic fibers and packaging materials, including for food and beverages. PET is recognized for its strong, lightweight, and recyclable properties, making it a popular choice for items such as plastic bottles, containers, and various forms of packaging.
Payback refers to the length of time it takes for the financial benefits or savings generated from an investment in recycling or sustainability measures to equal or exceed the initial cost of the investment. It is a commonly used financial metric to evaluate the economic feasibility and return on investment (ROI) of such initiatives. Read more about EverestLabs customer payback.
Packaging manufacturers are companies that specialize in the design, production, and supply of packaging materials and solutions for various industries and applications. These manufacturers play a critical role in the packaging industry by providing innovative, functional, and cost-effective packaging solutions to meet the diverse needs of their customers. Learn more about EverestLabs packaging manafacturers customers.
Recycling quality control refers to the process of ensuring that recycled materials meet established quality standards and specifications for use in manufacturing new products or materials. It involves monitoring, inspecting, and testing recycled materials to assess their composition, purity, and suitability for reuse or recycling.
Rotating drums, also known as trommel screens or rotary screens, are cylindrical devices used in recycling and waste management facilities to separate and sort materials based on size, shape, and composition. These drums consist of a rotating cylindrical screen or sieve with perforations or openings of various sizes that allow smaller particles to pass through while retaining larger particles for further processing.
A Robot Operations Center (ROC) is a centralized facility or control hub where robotic systems and operations are monitored, managed, and coordinated. The ROC serves as a command center for overseeing the deployment, performance, and maintenance of robotic assets across various applications and industries.
Robotic cells, also known as robotic work stations, are where robots perform recycling material recovery, typically where a human would work. Robotic cells improve safety by automating repetitive and hazardous tasks traditionally performed by human workers.
Recycling software is designed to streamline and optimize various aspects of waste and recycling operations. This software is used by waste management companies and recycling facilities to get insights on collection, sorting, processing, and tracking of recyclable materials. Learn more about EverestLabs recycling software.
Recycling stream refers to the flow or pathway that recyclable materials follow from their initial generation through collection, sorting, processing, and eventual reuse or recycling. The recycling stream encompasses the entire lifecycle of recyclable materials within the recycling system, including both residential and commercial sources.
Recycling robots are robotic systems designed and deployed in recycling facilities to automate various tasks related to sorting, processing, and handling recyclable materials. These robots utilize advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), computer vision, and Machine Learning (ML) to improve efficiency, accuracy, and productivity in recycling operations. Learn more about EverestLabs recycling robots.
The recycling rate is a metric that measures the proportion of waste materials that are diverted from disposal in landfills or incinerators and instead sent for recycling, reuse, or composting. It is typically expressed as a percentage and is calculated by dividing the amount of recycled or diverted materials by the total amount of waste generated, then multiplying by 100. Learn more about the recycling rate in the United States.
A recycling audit, also known as a waste audit or materials audit, is a systematic assessment of the waste generated by a recycling plant. The primary objective of a recycling audit is to gather data and insights to inform waste reduction, recycling, and sustainability initiatives. Contact EverestLabs for a recycling audit.
EverestLabs has developed RecycleOS, an AI-powered operating system designed for recycling plants. This innovative technology combines AI, data analytics, and robotics to automate Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) by accurately identifying and sorting recyclable materials to prevent them from ending up in landfills. RecycleOS aims to make recycling more economical and sustainable by improving material recovery rates and providing valuable data for optimizing operations. The platform offers real-time analytics, automation strategies, and tracking capabilities to enhance recycling processes and promote a more sustainable circular economy.
A facility or operation dedicated to the collection, sorting, cleaning, and processing of recyclable materials, transforming them into raw materials suitable for manufacturing new products. Reclaimers play a pivotal role in the recycling ecosystem by enabling the conversion of waste into valuable resources, thereby supporting sustainability and the circular economy. They handle various materials, including but not limited to plastics, metals, paper, and glass, employing specific techniques tailored to each material's requirements for reclamation and reuse. Learn more about EverestLabs reclaimers.
Successful Picks refers to the accurate identification and retrieval of recyclable materials from a waste stream during the sorting process.
Recycle sorting, also known as material sorting or waste sorting, is the process of separating and categorizing recyclable materials from mixed waste streams to facilitate recycling and resource recovery. It is a critical step in the recycling process, as it helps to identify and segregate different types of materials for further processing and recycling. Learn more about EverestLabs sorting.