Earlier this year, Osaka University unveiled a recycling robot that uses lasers to sort different types of plastics. Most plastics are recyclable, but only 6 % end up in recycling bins. PET and PS are recycled but their production rates are low – 5 and 7.6% of the total plastic production, respectively. PE and PP have not been recycled as they are not distinguishable by eye, though their production rates are the highest; 23 and 22%, respectively. The recycling robot has laser “eyes” and sensors that can distinguish between six different types of plastics for easier recycling.

It is expected to reduce CO2 emission greatly by paving the way for recycling many kinds of plastics. The recycling robot won’t be in a home soon (it costs $55,000), but Osaka University researchers hope to produce a smaller version that would fit into an ordinary kitchen, close to the recycling and compost bins. The robot is designed by IDEC, the Photonics Advanced Research Center, and Mitsubishi Electric Engineering and the whole project is supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan.

Source: Osaka University, Japan.

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