The Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment - ACE Ireland - has teamed up with Panda on a project aimed at improving the recycling process of cartons in the Irish market.
As part of the collaboration, ACE Ireland funded the installation of new robotic sorting technology at Panda's materials recovery facility (MRF) in Ballymount in Dublin.
Using new AI as accurate as a human eye, the new robot will identify, pick, and sort cartons at the Panda plant into their own dedicated streams. The sorted materials will then be sent onwards to ACE's specialised carton recycling facility in the UK operated by Sonoco Stainland.
The automated sorting technology has the capacity to deliver 33,000 picks over a ten-hour shift.
It is capable of scanning, detecting, and picking materials across 28 classes including beverage cartons and it is quick and easy to install over existing recycling lines with minimal disruption to the operation of the MRF.
ACE Ireland represents Tetra Pak, Elopak, and SIG Combibloc, the main manufacturers of beverage cartons for the Irish and European markets.
"The beverage carton is a sustainable, recyclable, and renewable packaging choice used by Irish households as part of everyday life for many decades", the chief executive of ACE Ireland Richard Hands said.
"As an industry we are committed to increasing carton recycling rates and improving recycling practices through targeted investment, the development of new technology, and working with industry partners," Mr Hands said.
The carton industry has set a target of achieving a 70% recycling rate by 2030.
"The launch of dedicated sorting at Ireland's largest MRF in Ballymount is an important step in meeting that target. Introducing new and emerging sorting technologies across Ireland's MRF network should be a key focus in the transition to a circular economy. This will allow MRFs to separate more materials and increase overall recycling rates," he added.
Brian McCabe, the CEO of Beauparc - which owns Panda - said the company receive over 90,000 tonnes of mixed dry recyclable materials into the Ballymount facilty a year from over 400,000 homes, all of which needs to be sorted into different waste streams.
"As such, we recognise the important role we have in delivering and supporting innovation to enhance recycling and waste management in Ireland," Mr McCabe said.
Minister of State with special responsibility for Circular Economy Ossian Smyth said the creation of a circular economy and the achievement of its ambitious reuse and recycling targets requires strong partnerships and innovative solutions.
"I'm delighted to be here today at the launch of this new technology, which will improve recycling processes and drive higher recycling rates. Today also demonstrates the important role that cross-industry collaboration can play in the transition to a circular economy," Mr Smyth added.
