The City of Tacoma is rolling out an innovative new pilot program to combat recycling contamination, thanks to a $1.8 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Recycling Education and Outreach Grant Program. The city’s Solid Waste Management Division is partnering with Prairie Robotics, a Canadian tech company, for a two-year initiative aimed at improving curbside recycling habits through smart technology and education.
Smart Cameras to Detect Contamination
The pilot project uses AI-powered smart cameras mounted on collection trucks to scan recycling bins. When contamination—non-recyclable items like plastic bags, greasy pizza boxes, or other trash—is detected, residents will receive personalized postcards highlighting the specific items that shouldn’t have been included.
“Contamination impacts how we can deliver services and the cost of those services for all residents,” said Lewis Griffith, Solid Waste Management Division Manager, in a statement on the City of Tacoma’s official website. The program is designed to help residents recycle smarter and more efficiently by providing real-time feedback.
No Fines—Just Education
The focus of this program is education, not enforcement. Tacoma officials confirmed that there will be no fines or penalties issued for flagged contamination during the pilot. Instead, the aim is to encourage better recycling habits and improve the overall quality of materials collected citywide.
Residents in selected neighborhoods will start receiving postcards beginning this month. The rollout will continue in phases across the city over the next year.
Proven Technology with National Experience
Prairie Robotics, already experienced in implementing similar programs across cities in the U.S. and Canada—including Greensboro, North Carolina, and East Lansing, Michigan—will provide the smart technology and analytics. Their system allows municipalities to monitor contamination rates and identify trends, enabling better decision-making and public engagement.
“We are thrilled to partner with the City of Tacoma on this project and believe that our platform can help reduce contamination in recycling across Tacoma,” said Sam Dietrich, CEO of Prairie Robotics, in a news release.
Long-Term Vision
The smart camera pilot is set to run through June 2027, when the city will evaluate its effectiveness. If successful, the program could become a model for other cities looking to modernize their recycling systems while engaging communities in more sustainable practices.
By leveraging cutting-edge technology and EPA funding, Tacoma is positioning itself at the forefront of eco-conscious innovation, transforming the way residents interact with their recycling bins—one postcard at a time.
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