Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th June 2026 Issue no. 1215
Your industry news - first
The original and best - for over 20 years!
We strongly recommend viewing Cleanzine full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.
Recorra invests in AI-powered robotic sorting arm
London and South-East based recycling company Recorra has announced investment in an AI-powered robotic sorting arm for its Essex-based Materials Recovering Facility, developed by UK-based firm Recycleye. Recorra tells us that it is the first commercial-only MRF to use this technology to sort business waste.
An AI 'vision unit' will be installed above the MRF belt. The AI sensor views and identifies recycling, on passing over the sorting belt. The arm is then instructed by the AI processor to pick the target materials. The arm's 'hand' is made up of a suction cup that is used to pick and remove recyclables from the belt. It then drops the material into the dedicated bunker beneath the belt.
Capable of picking between 35 and 60 items per minute, it will be used to sort cardboard, plastics and coffee cups.
Click the image above to see the short but cool movie of the robot in action!
The introduction of robotic pickers into the sorting process reduces the need for manual labour. Additionally, using a robotic arm minimises the exposure of workers to high-risk working environments, strenuous tasks and interfacing with waste, leading to a safer work environment and fewer injuries at MRFs.
The processing abilities of the AI-arm provide accurate recognition and selection of the target materials, meaning more materials are correctly picked out and recycled. The inbuilt advanced sensors and machine learning algorithms makes it highly accurate in identifying and categorising the different materials on the belt. By using this technology, Recorra is aiming to reduce contamination and increase efficiency.
Beyond sorting, an online dashboard will track waste composition trends along the line, providing greater visibility into the waste entering the MRF.
"This cutting-edge sorting arm represents our commitment to improving operational efficiency and most importantly health and safety," explains Bill Swan, Recorra's managing director. "The waste and recycling industry is inherently hazardous, and by automating part of the sorting process, we are taking crucial steps to minimise manual labour in high-risk areas.
"Initially used to sort cardboard, mixed plastics and coffee cups, its advanced sensors and machine-learning capabilities will ensure that we achieve higher sorting accuracy and quality, ultimately improving the recyclability of our customers' materials. It also allows us to adapt to the inevitable material composition changes brought by changing legislation.
"The investment in an AI sorting arm is the first stage in a £1m investment in our MRF to increase our sorting capacity and accuracy."
Installation begins in January 2025, with the fitting of the AI vision system. The vision system will monitor materials on the conveyor belt, to learn and analyse material composition and target item distribution. Full installation of the robotic sorting arm is anticipated by Summer 2025.
Founded in 1988 by Friends of the Earth as Paper Round and now an independent company, Recorra is based in Greater London and Sussex. The company provides commercial recycling and waste management services to forward-thinking, environmentally aware companies of all sizes. Recorra has consistently been one of the first companies to bring to market new recycling services, such as paper towels, coffee cups and compostable packaging and to launch new innovations such as waste and recycling Carbon Reduction Reports to help customers on their low carbon, net zero journeys.
Recycleye, founded in 2019, is expanding globally, and its technology is already installed in facilities across several countries including England, Ireland, Germany and the US. Recycleye's new Resource HQ facility in Stratford, East London.
www.recorra.co.uk | https://recycleye.com
5th December 2024