China uses AI technology to empower garbage sorting process

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing waste management in China, transforming tedious manual processes into highly efficient tech-driven operations. By integrating advanced algorithms, AI technology optimizes everything from consumer sorting and facility recycling to waste-to-energy conversion.

Large-scale recycling centers, such as those in Guangzhou and Xiamen, use AI combined with hyperspectral and near-infrared sensors to scan and separate different materials with over 95% accuracy and speeds up to 10 times faster than human workers. According to authorities, China aims to raise its urban household waste recycling utilization rate to above 76 percent by the end of 2030.