The future of sorting is finally here! Our state-of-the-art, AI-powered robotic sorting arm, developed by Recycleye, is fully operational and was installed on the 17th of July at our Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)! This makes Recorra the first commercial-only MRF in the UK to implement this cutting-edge technology, marking a major milestone in our £1 million MRF investment.
Our team worked closely with Recycleye to install, test, and fine-tune the robotic arm over the last six months, ensuring seamless integration into our sorting process. Now, the system is ready to deliver enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and safety, transforming how we process recyclables.
This was a big team effort, especially since retrofitting the sorting arm into our existing facility brought extra challenges. We’d like to thank the team who enabled the vision system to work with the arm - a complex process of correctly identifying a moving object and relaying coordinates to the robotic arm to grab it as it passes on the conveyor. We’re grateful for Recycleye’s flexibility and speed of installation, as planning the works outside of the MRF’s working hours meant minimal disruption to our operations.
Recorra Project Manager
Vision System Installation and AI Learning
The vision system was installed at our MRF in January 2025 to learn how to analyse material composition and target item distribution by monitoring materials on our conveyor belt.
Fabrication and Preparation
The AI sorting robot and permanent vision system were constructed while modifications were made to our MRF to accommodate the new technology.
Fabrication and Optimisation
After comprehensive testing, the sorting robot was installed at our Purfleet MRF. It will continue to undergo analysis for further optimisation.
The robotic system combines AI vision, machine learning, and precision robotics to identify and sort materials at remarkable speeds. Here’s how it operates:
The waste industry is one of the most hazardous due to heavy machinery and repetitive tasks. By automating part of the sorting process, we reduce manual labour in high-risk areas, allowing staff to transition into safer roles.
Unlike human sorters, the robotic arm operates continuously, maintaining consistent speed and accuracy. This boosts our MRF’s overall capacity, allowing us to process recyclables more efficiently.
The AI’s machine-learning algorithms identify materials with near-perfect precision, drastically reducing contamination and improving the quality of our recyclable output. This ensures more materials are correctly recovered and repurposed.
While currently trained to sort cardboard, plastics, and coffee cups, the system can be re-trained to handle new materials as legislation and waste streams evolve. This future-proofs our MRF against changing industry demands.
We’re proud to support Recorra, a company so local to us in London, become the first commercial waste processor in the UK to adopt robotic sorting. After a smooth installation during plant downtime over the weekend, it is great to see Recycleye QualiBot® already supporting increased material recovery and safety at the Purfleet MRF.
Recycleye CEO
At Recorra, innovation drives everything we do. From smart collection methods to circular recycling solutions, we’re committed to sustainability, efficiency, and workplace safety.
We will continue working with Recycleye to fine-tune the sorting arm’s pick rate and target item recovery, analysing data in real time to optimise this new tool as much as possible.
This installation is just the first phase of our £1 million MRF upgrade. If the robotic arm proves as successful as expected, we may expand automation further, increasing our facility’s capacity and operational hours.
Stay tuned for updates on our AI sorting arm’s performance by following us on social media and checking back here in the coming months.
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