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Robots boost Hubbard County's organics program
The AI-trained sorters also pull compostable cardboard from trash as six Minnesota counties expand a free organics program.
- AI-Trained robots at the Polk County Resource Recovery Facility in Fosston, Minn., are identifying and retrieving specialized green compostable bags from the household waste stream. Six counties, including Hubbard County, use this program to divert organic waste from landfills.
- Chris Haar, Hubbard County education and outreach specialist, explained that organic waste contaminates the normal trash stream. Diverting organic material reduces methane emissions, which contribute to air pollution and landfill problems.
- Polk County Environmental Services Administrator Jon Steiner said robots are still "learning" to identify bags through daily training sessions where video is sent to the robotics company. The robots also pluck wet or soiled cardboard from the conveyor belt for composting.
- Residents in the six participating counties receive free rolls of green, six-gallon bags designed to withstand the collection and processing system. Haar estimates one roll will last a household about six months.
- As the program rolls out, officials expect the robots to improve accuracy without manual input, learning from more organics bags in the system. This diverts materials into a large, aerated, static compost pile serving the participating Minnesota counties.
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Robots boost Hubbard County's organics program
PARK RAPIDS, Minn. — Robots are making food waste recycling easier for residents in six Minnesota counties. Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Mahnomen, Norman and Polk counties are rolling out this cutting-edge program to collect organic waste such as food scraps, food-soiled paper and BPI-certified compostable products. And it’s completely free for residents who sign up. Up to 40% of all waste that goes into landfills is organic, said Chris Haar,…
·Cherokee County, United States
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Leaning Left0Leaning Right7Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution78% Right
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R 78%
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