[chrsstrm]

Or you can just cut the problem in half overnight by mandating that manufacturers indicate on the packaging whether or not it is recyclable. We already have the recycle logo on the most common items, but as the article indicates, the biggest issue is with people hoping that an item can be recycled and throwing it in the blue bin in earnest optimism. Putting "Please dispose in trash, this item is not able to be recycled" on the container will take you further than any tech solution.

[Yoric]

I like the idea, but there is the problem that not all cities/recyclers have the same capabilities, though.

[melling]

If you make manufacturers label the material, it becomes an easier AI problem to solve.

[chrsstrm]

I'm genuinely curious as to which side of the equation you'd like to implement this solution - the consumer who throws the item away or the central sorting center that receives the items? Sure, a metro area sorting center might be interested, but many are government owned and require approval or even a referendum to increase the budget for this type of system. Rural sorting centers have no budget and the most high tech piece of equipment are the metal detectors positioned along conveyors (just before a couple scores of humans who do the actual sorting). You can give people an app to scan an item before they toss it, but that implies they'll actually use it. I want futuristic automated flying trash-sorting robots too, but I also don't think we've exhausted the easier options before jumping right into the high-cost tech solution.

[melling]

I don’t know the best solution, but making it an easier problem to solve is always beneficial.

[hahamrfunnyguy]

If there was a database that described the recylability of a product, then that could be cross-referenced with what a municipality or waste management company is able to recycle. Pair that with simple app and that would make disposing of certain kinds of waste very clear.

[Retra]

Or you could just drop your junk in the trash and forego downloading, installing, learning, using, and ultimately wasting your life on an app.