A new artificial intelligence technology, Oscar Sort, is gearing up to revolutionize recycling efforts at the University of Guelph. Developed by Canadian tech firm Intuitive AI, this AI-powered recycling assistant will be deployed at the University Centre starting mid-February. Designed to transform the waste sorting experience, Oscar Sort enables users to simply show their item to the AI system, which then instantaneously guides them to the correct recycling bin, making the process effortless and engaging.
What sets Oscar apart? For starters, it consumes no more energy than your typical laptop, allowing universities to improve their recycling and composting rates significantly. Importantly, it also provides valuable waste analytics to support sustainability teams, helping them to reduce waste right at the source. Harry Bakker, the associate vice-president for physical resources at the University of Guelph, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming introduction of Oscar Sort, saying, "At physical resources, we look for innovative ways to continually improve service. The implementation of Oscar Sort signifies a significant step forward in our commitment to waste reduction."
Beyond simplifying the recycling process, Oscar Sort is programmed to adapt to changing municipal guidelines. With the ability to update almost instantly to reflect alterations in local recycling regulations and packaging, this tool positions itself as not just beneficial, but necessary. Powered by machine learning and computer vision, Oscar is continuously learning and enhancing its capabilities, which makes waste sorting smarter and more efficient than ever before.
Oscar has already shown its merit at over 30 prominent North American institutions, including the University of Toronto, MIT, and ASU—each reporting improved recycling rates and reduced operational costs. "Young people are the future drivers of sustainable change, and education is key to making recycling, composting and reusing second nature," notes Hassan Murad, the CEO and co-founder of Intuitive AI. "Oscar is just the beginning—a 'bintersection'—for sparking meaningful conversations about sustainability. We’re excited to see how its trivia feature gets young people thinking about climate change and inspires them to make a real impact."
A unique feature of Oscar Sort is its design with user privacy at the forefront. It identifies waste items without storing personal information, ensuring compliance with global security and privacy regulations, including PIPEDA, CCPA, and GDPR. "This advanced AI technology empowers our University’s community to make sustainably informed decisions, diverting recycling from waste," Bakker adds, highlighting the potential for Oscar to contribute toward creating a greener future.
The momentum around Oscar Sort does not end with its deployment at universities. Similar technology is making strides at Boston Logan Airport, where the AI recycling assistant has been installed across high-traffic areas within three terminals. According to airport officials, Oscar Sort aims to improve recycling accuracy, minimize contamination, and cut costs associated with incorrect material sorting.
Rich Davey, the CEO of Massport, welcomed the introduction of Oscar Sort as part of the agency's broader commitment to meeting its Net Zero goals by 2031. "Massport has been working hard on meeting our Net Zero goals by 2031, and the Oscar Sort AI Recycling Assistant is an important piece of our strategy," Davey said. "Whether it’s helping passengers make the right choice when throwing something away or bringing sustainable aviation fuel to the airport, sustainable technology is at the center of everything we do."
Oscar Sort facilitates not only cost savings but also provides valuable insights for operational optimization. By enabling the airport to gather data on recycling habits, Massport can improve material flow, allocate cleaning resources more effectively, and increase overall labor efficiency. This data-driven approach allows Boston Logan to refine passenger experience not just across recycling, but across various dimensions of airport operations.
"Boston Logan is taking a data-driven approach to improve passenger experience across the airport industry," added Hassan Murad. This forward-thinking attitude emphasizes the potential of Oscar Sort to create significant efficiencies and strategic insights as it continues to roll out across various institutions.
Through its dual deployment at the University of Guelph and Boston Logan Airport, Oscar Sort is signaling the future of waste management. By integrating advanced AI technology, schools and airports alike are not only optimizing their recycling efforts but also advocating for responsible waste disposal education and sustainable practices. The objective remains clear: to cultivate environmentally conscious behaviors and usher the next generation toward sustainable living practices.