Amcor backs artificial intelligence to circularize material streams with waste data analytics

18 Jul 2023 --- Amcor is investing US$500,000 in artificial intelligence (AI)-generated waste analytics company Greyparrot – the latest Amcor Lift-Off winner. Greyparrot deploys AI computer vision systems in resource recovery facilities, which monitor and sort through waste flows at scale. The data provided to waste managers, producers and regulators facilitates sorting, recycling and accountability along the waste value chain.

Mikela Druckman, the start-up’s co-founder and CEO, tells Packaging Insights that Greyparrot’s waste recognition library includes 67 categories of plastics, fibers, metals and general object groups like batteries, waste, electrical and electronic equipment items such as face masks and fabric.

“Greyparrot can accurately distinguish categories, including standard PET bottles to food and non-food grade material, black and colored plastics, different forms of high-density PE and several common types of flexible film,” says Druckman.

“Plastics are the biggest category of Greyparrot’s waste recognition library, largely because it has presented such a challenge to the sector. We produce around 400 million metric tons of it every year, but less than 10% gets recycled.”

“Greyparrot AI can also track a waste object’s brand, right down to the stock-keeping unit (for example, Diet Coke, 330 mL).”

The company will use Amcor’s investment to support its growth by placing its systems into more facilities globally so it can scale the waste data it collects and its impact.

Greyparrrot’s AI can distinguish between different kinds of plastic.Real-time waste detection
Greyparrot’s AI waste recognition system sits on top of conveyor belts at recovery facilities globally to gather waste packaging data automatically through a camera system. It enables material recovery facilities, plastics recovery facilities and other reprocessors to monitor, audit and sort large waste flows at scale.

“Greyparrot’s system is powered by software that includes computer vision technology, a sub-branch of AI that can scale the analysis of images and videos,” continues Druckman.

“The system sends data to an analytics dashboard in real-time, providing insights waste managers can use to improve their operations. These insights include information on waste composition, throughput and quality.”

The company also provides a flexible vision system that integrates with existing and new sorting machinery through an open API (Application Programming Interface).

“Our API provides the ability to embed cognitive intelligence into existing software and hardware frameworks. We believe collaboration is key to closing the data gap and meeting recycling targets,” Druckman explains.

Understanding waste value
The start-up will also gain access to Amcor’s skills in environmental sustainability and packaging to help scale its innovative AI-powered waste recognition system in support of a circular economy.

Amcor’s vice president of Corporate Venturing and Open Innovation, Frank Lehmann, says: “Amcor’s Lift-Off program has established partnerships with a number of companies that are at the forefront of new technology that will drive sustainability in various ways.”

“We’re excited by Greyparrot’s technology to deliver valuable information on the life cycle of packaging and other waste and get a clearer understanding of the waste value chain and how we can improve.”

At present, data collection in waste and recycling plants is still manual and covers less than 1% of waste, according to Druckman.

“Industry and policy decisions are based on a tiny glimpse into what is happening in the waste ecosystem. This technology enables the entire packaging value chain with concrete, objective, real-time packaging waste data to make more circular decisions,” she concludes.

By Natalie Schwertheim

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