AI can bridge circular economy & environmental responsibility

As technology evolves, the potential to meet circular economy goals becomes more attainable, but widespread adoption and collaboration across all sectors will be key to realising a sustainable future, JD Ambati tells OGN

- ABDULAZIZ KHATTAK

THE world has a waste crisis; humans generate over 2 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, which is responsible for 20 percent of the world’s human-related methane emissions.

While these statistics are grim, this is a fixable problem.

Currently, the world views and handles waste in a linear fashion. In other words, you buy a product, use it, and then throw it away.

“This produces a huge amount of trash, with a majority ending up in landfills or our environment. Instead of this ‘throw-away economy’, we need to transition to a truly circular economy, one that encourages reuse and recycling of materials,” JD Ambati, Founder & CEO of EverestLabs, tells OGN energy magazine.

A circular economy is a system where materials never become waste and are constantly remanufactured into new products.

Not only does a circular economy fix our waste problem, but it also tackles other global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

By continually remanufacturing materials into new products, this system minimises waste and the environmental impact associated with extraction and production.

There is a lot of work that needs to be done to achieve an efficient and successful circular economy.

It will require the involvement of all stakeholders, including government bodies, consumers, packaging manufacturers, brands, and organisations in the recycling industry, to move from a linear to a circular economy.

Technology, especially AI-powered robotics, is also a crucial enabler in this transition. AI technology can play a pivotal role in specifically supporting two key stakeholders in this transition: the recycling industry and consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands.

TRANSFORMING RECYCLING WITH AI & ROBOTICS