Artificial Intelligence to be used in Lethbridge residential recycling program

A new program that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being implemented by the City of Lethbridge so that residential waste streams are maintained in optimal conditions. The intelligent system checks residential recycling and organic carts to find materials that should not be placed in these containers. James Nicholls, Waste and Collections Manager with the City of Lethbridge says this is a one-year pilot, and he also explains how screening works. Nicholls says as soon as inappropriate materials are found in the blue or green cart; a notification will be sent to the house where it was found so this behavior is not repeated in the next collection. They will be notified that if the behavior continues, and lose access to the blue cart, which will increase the costs of disposing garbage for that household.