The Future Of Recycling

If we want to keep the planet habitable for future generations, we need to think about the future of recycling from a macro perspective. The EPA estimated that the average person in the US generated 4.5 pounds of waste per day in 2017 and 4.9 pounds in 2018. In the 1970s, that number was around 2.4 pounds. In this episode of The Future Of, Amanda Marrs, Sr. Director at AMP Robotics, reveals how AMP is advancing high-tech waste recycling to help design a more sustainable future. Jeff and Amanda take a broad view of the recycling industry—touching on everything from the process of recycling materials and promising technology to international trends and logistical challenges.

Amanda Marrs, Sr. Director at AMP Robotics, reveals how AMP is developing high-tech waste recycling solutions to help create a more sustainable future. Jeff and Amanda take a glimpse at the waste recycling industry—touching on everything from the process of recycling materials and promising technology to international trends and logistical challenges.

They Cover:

[00:08:09] Where does that water bottle go after you throw it in the bin? Amanda describes the physical process of recycling with an example. After the bottle arrives at the processing plant, it's pre-sorted by people, sorted by a cardboard screen, and separated. The ultimate goal is to melt down the plastic to make new products.

[00:16:11] Amanda discusses her dream for the future: a world without waste. She envisions a circular economy, where products and packages are designed for recyclability first. Doing that will take patience, a lot of data, and economic incentives.

[00:23:13] What will drive change in the next ten to twenty years? Amanda's short answer is—Data. Data. Data. Aggregating local data with national trends yields powerful insights. She explains that data and infrastructure will give enhance analytics capabilities in the next ten years. She says that the speed of change depends on whether economic incentives are "carrots or sticks."

[00:27:04] Countries in Europe, like the Netherlands, are leading the way in terms of sustainability, but North America is catching up. Amanda mentions that she is working with some big CPG companies in North America that are make huge strides toward sustainability goals.

[00:28:38] The dos and don'ts of recycling. Amanda talks about how to dispose of pumpkins, why you shouldn't crush a soda can, and where to put your compost. She also gives tips on how to get involved in the community and your favorite brands.

If you're interested in the journey towards clean energy, tune into this episode of "The Future Of", a Podcast by Fresh Consulting.

If you are interested in a sustainable, waste-free future, listen to this episode of "The Future Of," a Podcast by Fresh Consulting.
AMP's AI-powered "trash robots" are at the cutting edge of recycling technology. Listen to the latest edition of "The Future Of," a Podcast by Fresh Consulting.

Full transcript: https://www.freshconsulting.com/insights/podcasts/the-future-of-recycling/

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Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandamarrs/
Website: AMP Robotics

About the Show

"The Future Of" is a podcast by Fresh Consulting & hosted by Jeff Dance, where we discuss and learn about the future of different industries, markets, and technology verticals. Together we'll chat with leaders and experts in the field and discuss how we can shape the future human experience.