Recycling Trucks Market Trends

The market is witnessing significant advancements in recycling technology. As recycling technologies improve, these trucks can handle a wider range of materials, increasing their demand. For example, advancements in chemical recycling may enable the processing of complex polymers, necessitating vehicles equipped to handle and separate these materials effectively. New sorting technologies, such as optical sorting or Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered systems, may detect and separate recyclables more precisely and efficiently.

Recycling vehicles must be customized to function seamlessly with these sorting systems. This might include elements, such as conveyor belts or chambers, intended for the specific materials that the new technology can process. Furthermore, newer recycling trucks are equipped with more powerful and efficient compaction devices. This enables them to collect bigger amounts of recyclables while minimizing the number of visits and optimizing collection routes.

For instance, in December 2023, Prairie Robotics installed AI technology on recycling trucks in Bay City, Michigan, as part of a six-month pilot project to improve recycling in the city. Bay City partnered with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), The Recycling Partnership, and Prairie Robotics on the project. Prairie Robotics installed cameras, GPS, and computers on the city's recycling trucks to monitor the contents of curbside recycling bins.

The AI technology analyzes the recycling bins and provides feedback to households on proper recycling practices to improve recycling efficiency and reduce contamination. The project is being funded by a grant of over USD 50,000 from EGLE, with technical support from The Recycling Partnership.