Recorra buys AI sorting arm in £1m MRF investment

The move comes as the first stage in a £1 million investment in itsMRF to increase sorting capacity and accuracy. 

The recycling company, which is based in London and the South East of England, said that it believes it is the first commercial-only MRF to use this technology to sort business waste.  

Recycleye will install a “vision unit” above the MRF belt in January 2025 with the full installation of the robotic sorting arm anticipated to be completed by summer 2025. 

The vision unit will use its sensors to identify recycling as it passes over the belt beneath it. The AI processor then instructs the arm to pick up target materials – cardboard, plastics and coffee cups – using its suction cup “hand”. The arm will then drop the material into a dedicated bunker beneath the belt. 

Recycleye said that the arm is capable of picking up between 35 to 60 items per minute.  

The AI robotics company added that the technology should help Recorra reduce contamination and increase efficiency.  

Managing director of Recorra, Bill Swan, said: “This cutting-edge sorting arm represents our commitment to improving operational efficiency and most importantly health and safety. 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 £1 million investment in our MRF to increase our sorting capacity and accuracy.”