In a groundbreaking development for the waste management industry, WasteVision AI and Keymakr, a leading data-annotation company, have announced a strategic partnership. The collaboration seeks to marry WasteVision AI’s existing expertise in waste management with Keymakr’s prowess in video and image annotation.
The ultimate objective? To amplify WasteVision AI’s capabilities in detecting contamination, thereby removing a significant burden from waste collection drivers and enhancing the overall efficiency of the process.
The Broader Plastic Waste Crisis
A recent 2022 report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) brings to the forefront a growing and deeply troubling global predicament: the surge in plastic waste.
Over the past twenty years, the world has witnessed a staggering doubling in the production of plastic waste. The implications of this spike are dire. While efforts to recycle are ongoing, a scanty 9% of this enormous waste volume undergoes recycling. The fate of the remaining 91% is unsettling.
A significant portion of this waste languishes in landfills, with some of it being incinerated, releasing harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. An equally concerning amount ends up as environmental pollutants, adversely impacting ecosystems. Within this spectrum of plastic waste, macroplastics—larger, more visible pieces—have long been identified as environmental hazards. However, the rising menace of microplastics—tiny, often microscopic fragments—is now ringing alarm bells, emphasizing the urgent need for robust waste management strategies.
The Gravity of Waste Management Challenges
Navigating the waste sector comes with its fair share of dangers, as highlighted by David Biderman, the Executive Director and CEO of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA).
Painting a sobering picture, Biderman remarks, “Every week, we witness the tragic loss of a worker in the US waste industry to accidents.” This isn’t even accounting for the myriad challenges that loom large in the sector. Workers frequently encounter perilous items in trash, including potentially explosive batteries and sharp syringes.
Add to this the unpredictable nature of external factors like erratic weather conditions and roadside distractions, and the threat quotient rises dramatically. Moreover, the relentless growth in the volume of waste, with more products being discarded every day, only intensifies these challenges.
Recognizing the urgent need to address these multifaceted challenges, WasteVision AI has channelled its resources into developing a state-of-the-art solution. At the core of this innovation is computer vision, a technology adept at meticulously scanning and detecting contamination in waste.
But the process doesn’t stop at detection. Once the system identifies any contaminants, it springs into action, alerting operators instantaneously. And it does so through a plethora of communication channels tailored to modern-day needs, encompassing everything from SMS and emails to direct mailers. This isn’t just about modernizing waste collection; it’s a transformative approach that prioritizes safety, ensuring that drivers are no longer bogged down with the routine checks for contamination, thus making the entire waste collection process more streamlined and significantly safer.
On-Truck Technology: A Revolution
In the midst of this escalating crisis, WasteVision AI’s CTO, Tony Genovese, presents a beacon of hope in the form of their pioneering on-truck technology. Elaborating on the functionality and potential of this innovation, Genovese explains, “Rather than waiting for the waste to reach a central facility for sorting and evaluation, our technology is proactively embedded within garbage trucks. As these vehicles traverse neighbourhoods, our system meticulously evaluates every waste it can come into contact with.”
This proactive approach ensures that waste is categorized intelligently and efficiently, right at the source. Not only does this facilitate accurate differentiation between recyclables and non-recyclables, but it also aids in pinpointing instances where recyclables may have been erroneously discarded with general waste.
The implications of this for haulers extend beyond environmental impact. The early results indicate that this technology is not just about ecological responsibility; it translates to tangible financial benefits as well. The swift return on investment haulers experience upon deploying this technology is a testament to its transformative potential in reshaping the waste management landscape.
Beyond Profits: A Greener Tomorrow
WasteVision AI’s approach to waste management is not just a business model but an ethical commitment. While it’s undeniable that the introduction of their on-truck technology presents substantial financial incentives for haulers, the broader vision, as Genovese stresses, transcends monetary gains. He says, “Our journey is towards carving out a sustainable environmental legacy.”
By providing haulers with advanced tools and data, WasteVision AI seeks to foster a paradigm shift in how waste is disposed of. Their technology empowers haulers to hold both households and businesses accountable for their disposal practices, creating a ripple effect that promotes cleaner and more responsible recycling on a global stage.
The Role of Keymakr Data Annotation Company
Keymakr’s role in this collaboration is pivotal. Their recent unveiling of Keylabs, a sophisticated SaaS platform, amplifies their commitment to advancing waste management. This platform is a boon for companies, even for those that lack specialized data annotation teams, allowing them seamless access to Keymakr’s world-class annotation services.
Arie Zilberman, CEO, founder and the guiding force behind Keymakr, sheds light on their foray into waste management. He emphasizes, “This isn’t uncharted territory for us. Owing to our expertise and the burgeoning demand, we’ve curated a dedicated team of expert annotators specialized in waste management. No training required; they’re masters in garbage classification. This proficiency means we not only save time but also reduce costs for significant projects,” he says. “As machine learning permeates every sector, our goal is to equip businesses with the resources they need to upscale data annotation and craft their models with both precision and efficiency.”
About Keymakr
Originating in 2015, Keymakr has rapidly carved out a niche for itself, becoming synonymous with premium-quality data for computer vision AI applications. The cornerstone of their philosophy is a simple yet profound belief: The performance, reliability, and efficiency of an AI system are intrinsically tied to the caliber of its training data. As technology continues its rapid evolution, Keymakr stands by the irreplaceable value of human expertise in refining and directing this evolution.
About WasteVision AI
Positioned at the forefront of the waste management revolution, WasteVision AI embodies innovation. Their relentless pursuit of excellence is evident in their harmonization of avant-garde AI technology with on-truck camera systems. But beyond the tech, their mission is clear: to pave the way for a future where waste management is not only efficient and safe but also intrinsically aligned with the principles of environmental sustainability.
