Latest news with #waste reduction
CBC
an hour ago
- Business
- CBC
How this Toronto airport is using AI to help reduce garbage waste
Social Sharing A Toronto airport is using artificial intelligence to help reduce garbage waste and teach people about recycling. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport launched its first Oscar Sort recycling stations on Wednesday to guide travelers on how to dispose of their waste properly across terminals. Alex Rector is the global Oscar lead at Intuitive AI, the Canadian technology company that created Oscar Sort. He says the goal with the recycling tool is to make sure items end up in the correct disposal streams. "We find a lot of people have walked up to a bin and just don't know where things are supposed to end up, and that's again where Oscar becomes the hero across five continents. We're diverting waste away from landfill," he said. The Oscar station looks like a standard recycling system, but it contains a scanner that identifies the item that someone wants to discard, then nudges the person to deposit their garbage or recyclables in the right bin. Founded in 2017, Oscar has caught up with the new types of AI in the market by increasing its processors to identify items faster and improve its pixels, Rector says. The AI recycling assistant also features recycling trivia for adults and kids. This is the first launch of Oscar Sort at any Toronto airport, and Billy Bishop will have four recycling stations. Rector says the airport is the perfect place to have the system. "If you think about an airport, you have folks traveling from all over the world, and recycling might be different in different areas, or there might be a language barrier," said Rector. WATCH | How Oscar Sort works: How Oscar works 2 years ago Deputy director of EcoGAC at Global Affairs Canada Soren Antosz explains how the department is using artificial intelligence to help it divert trash from landfills and into recycling programs. Oscar has a 92 per cent accuracy rate, Rector says. "A lot of the time, folks will walk up to Oscar and show an item, and they'll be so astounded that Oscar knows what they're holding and where to throw it out, and so the next thing they're going to do is try and trick Oscar," he said. 'Gamifying ... waste management' The vice president of communications and public affairs at PortsToronto, the transportation service that owns and operates Billy Bishop, says this is a great use of AI. "We all love to be entertained, and we all love to have our attention grabbed quickly," said Deborah Wilson. "It's a simple technology, you're gamifying something like waste management, and I think it will really have an impact in terms of people's behaviour." Juhi Matta, the senior manager for environment, social, and governance at PortsToronto, says she's happy Billy Bishop is getting the new tool. "When we learned about Oscar Sort, we thought it would be a fun way to not only reduce contamination and increase the waste diverted from landfill, but it would also be a great opportunity to engage passengers," she said. She says Oscar will also be a good way to improve recycling rates in general.
CNA
15 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
Singapore generated less waste and recycled less in 2024
SINGAPORE: Singapore's waste generation rate fell in 2024, with per capita daily domestic waste decreasing by more than 20 per cent over the past decade, according to the latest statistics released by the National Environment Agency (NEA). The national recycling rate dropped to its lowest level in a decade at 50 per cent, mainly due to less waste generated in the construction and demolition sector. On average, each person generated around 0.85kg of domestic waste daily, down from 0.88kg in 2023. Domestic waste is collected from households and trade premises such as shophouses, educational institutions and hawker centres. Daily non-domestic waste generated per billion dollar gross domestic product also fell from around 25 tonnes in 2023 to around 23 tonnes in 2024. Non-domestic waste is produced at industrial and commercial premises. The latest figures continue a downward trend in waste generation over the past decade, with per capita daily domestic waste decreasing by more than 20 per cent and non-domestic waste per billion dollars GDP falling by over 30 per cent. At the opening of food waste processing facility Mottainai Food Tech on Wednesday (Jul 23), Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary said the numbers were 'commendable'. 'They suggest that Singaporeans, Singaporean businesses alike are making more deliberate choices to embrace environmentally sustainable practices in their daily lives, through the cumulative impact of reducing, reusing and recycling,' he said. RECYCLING RATE AT 10-YEAR LOW Recycling rates were the lowest in 10 years at 50 per cent. In 2014, the recycling rate was 60 per cent. NEA attributed the drop largely to reductions in construction and demolition waste and used slag, with the amounts falling by 44 per cent and 69 per cent respectively. As construction and demolition waste and used slag are almost fully recycled, the decrease in volume generated and consequently recycled led to a significant reduction in the overall recycling rate, said the agency. There was less construction and demolition waste generated from demolition projects in recent years. Similarly, there were fewer steel smelting activities, leading to less used slag being produced. The agency also reported a 49,000-tonne drop in the amount of wood waste recycled, driven by the closure of one biomass plant and extended maintenance at another. This reduced Singapore's short-term wood waste processing capacity. Another major contributor was the sharp fall in paper recycling - from 52 per cent to 32 per cent over the past ten years. The decline is driven by factors such as the cost of collecting and freight, as well as commodity prices, NEA said. FOCUS ON FOOD, PAPER AND PLASTIC Singapore aims to increase its overall recycling rate to 70 per cent by 2030, in line with the country's Zero Waste Masterplan. To support this goal, NEA is stepping up efforts in three key waste streams - food, paper and plastics, as these categories make up the largest share of waste that is not being recycled. Food waste recycling rates have climbed from 13 per cent in 2014 to 18 per cent in 2024. Since March 2024, new large commercial and industrial food waste generators have been required to segregate, treat and report their food waste. These rules will extend to existing players after the Integrated Waste Management Facility is completed from 2027. In March this year, NEA supported the development of guidelines for sustainable e-commerce packaging to reduce waste and promote paper recycling. There are currently about 80 licensed general waste disposal facilities handling paper/cardboard waste locally. For Singapore's paper to be recycled, it has to be baled and exported overseas, as there are no local paper pulping facilities, said the agency. For plastic recycling, NEA will roll out a beverage container return scheme next April. Consumers who return empty beverage containers will receive a 10-cent deposit refund. NEA acknowledged that contamination in communal recycling bins remains a challenge. While a fully segregated waste collection system is not currently viable due to costs, the agency is introducing targeted single-stream efforts like the container return scheme. Given Singapore's limited space, we need to very effectively manage the waste we generate, by reducing and reusing to minimise waste, and recycling to turn the waste back into a resource, said Dr Puthucheary. "We need to do all this so that we can extend the life of our only landfill, Semakau Landfill, which is projected to be full by 2035." He added that individuals should continue to do their part by carrying out 'simple actions', such as being careful about the amount of food they buy and cook, avoiding single-use disposables and 'treating our blue bins well' by recycling properly, he said.
Globe and Mail
15-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Green Impact Partners Provides Update on Its Water and Recycling Sales Process and Announces Amendment to Its Corporate Credit Facility
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - Green Impact Partners Inc. (TSXV: GIP) ("GIP" or the "Company") announced today the purchaser of the Company's water, waste treatment, and recycling assets has requested an extension to the previously announced closing date of on or before July 16, 2025. GIP is currently considering the terms and conditions to grant a further extension and will provide a further update in due course. As a result of the extension request, GIP has executed an amendment to its corporate credit facility (the "Facility") to provide a waiver of certain events of default under the Facility until July 31, 2025, subject to meeting certain covenants and conditions. About Green Impact Partners Inc. Green Impact Partners Inc. is forging a path towards a sustainable future by turning waste into energy. With a focus on renewable natural gas (RNG) and bioenergy projects, our mission is to acquire, develop, construct, and operate facilities that not only produce energy but also play an important role in waste reduction and lowering emissions. Our comprehensive approach spans the entire project life cycle, from idea generation through construction to ongoing operations. In addition to our RNG and bioenergy projects, GIP maintains a current portfolio of water and solids treatment and recycling facilities in Canada, alongside a solids recycling business in the United States. Traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol 'GIP', the Company invites you to join us in our journey. For more information about the Company, please visit Cautionary Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and/or forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. When used in this release, such words as "would", "will", "anticipates", believes", "estimates", "explores" "expects" and similar expressions, as they relate to GIP, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of GIP with respect to future events, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause GIP's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any expected future results, performance or achievement that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Certain information and statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, which reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including but not limited: the anticipated closing of the sale of the Company's water, waste treatment, and recycling facilities; securing regulatory and exchange approvals; anticipated cash to the Company at closing. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the high degree of uncertainties inherent to feasibility and economic studies which are based to a significant extent on various assumptions; variations in commodity prices and exchange rate fluctuations; variations in cost of supplies and labour; lack of availability of qualified personnel; receipt of necessary approvals; availability of financing for project development; uncertainties and risks with respect to developing RNG projects; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; assurance that the final terms will align with those initially agreed upon or that the transaction will proceed as anticipated; timeline of construction and ultimate completion of the Future Energy Park project; change in demand for clean energy to be offered by the Company; obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities; general liquidity of the Company; ability to make obligations to its lenders; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; closing of the transaction referenced herein. For a more fulsome list of risk factors please see the Company's December 31, 2024, year-end Management Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A"), available of SEDAR+ at Management of the Company has included the above summary of assumptions and risks related to forward-looking statements provided in this release to provide shareholders with a more complete perspective on the Company's current and future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Green Impact Partners Provides Update on Its Water and Recycling Sales Process and Announces Amendment to Its Corporate Credit Facility
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - Green Impact Partners Inc. (TSXV: GIP) ("GIP" or the "Company") announced today the purchaser of the Company's water, waste treatment, and recycling assets has requested an extension to the previously announced closing date of on or before July 16, 2025. GIP is currently considering the terms and conditions to grant a further extension and will provide a further update in due course. As a result of the extension request, GIP has executed an amendment to its corporate credit facility (the "Facility") to provide a waiver of certain events of default under the Facility until July 31, 2025, subject to meeting certain covenants and conditions. About Green Impact Partners Inc. Green Impact Partners Inc. is forging a path towards a sustainable future by turning waste into energy. With a focus on renewable natural gas (RNG) and bioenergy projects, our mission is to acquire, develop, construct, and operate facilities that not only produce energy but also play an important role in waste reduction and lowering emissions. Our comprehensive approach spans the entire project life cycle, from idea generation through construction to ongoing operations. In addition to our RNG and bioenergy projects, GIP maintains a current portfolio of water and solids treatment and recycling facilities in Canada, alongside a solids recycling business in the United States. Traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol 'GIP', the Company invites you to join us in our journey. For more information about the Company, please visit Investor & Analyst Inquiries: Nikolaus KieferChief Investment Officer(236) 476-3445investors@ Media Inquiries: media@ Cautionary Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and/or forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. When used in this release, such words as "would", "will", "anticipates", believes", "estimates", "explores" "expects" and similar expressions, as they relate to GIP, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of GIP with respect to future events, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause GIP's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any expected future results, performance or achievement that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Certain information and statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, which reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including but not limited: the anticipated closing of the sale of the Company's water, waste treatment, and recycling facilities; securing regulatory and exchange approvals; anticipated cash to the Company at closing. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the high degree of uncertainties inherent to feasibility and economic studies which are based to a significant extent on various assumptions; variations in commodity prices and exchange rate fluctuations; variations in cost of supplies and labour; lack of availability of qualified personnel; receipt of necessary approvals; availability of financing for project development; uncertainties and risks with respect to developing RNG projects; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; assurance that the final terms will align with those initially agreed upon or that the transaction will proceed as anticipated; timeline of construction and ultimate completion of the Future Energy Park project; change in demand for clean energy to be offered by the Company; obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities; general liquidity of the Company; ability to make obligations to its lenders; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; closing of the transaction referenced herein. For a more fulsome list of risk factors please see the Company's December 31, 2024, year-end Management Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A"), available of SEDAR+ at Management of the Company has included the above summary of assumptions and risks related to forward-looking statements provided in this release to provide shareholders with a more complete perspective on the Company's current and future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit
BBC News
14-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
West Berkshire black bin collections to move to every three weeks
A council is set to introduce three-weekly bin collections despite local Berkshire Council currently collects black bins every two weeks, but said on Monday this would change to every three weeks from 22 a council survey run earlier this year, most people said they did not want a reduction in the frequency of refuse collections, and a petition was launched in May calling for the council to change its the council said the change aimed to increase recycling, reduce waste and support long-term environmental goals. Under the new plans, food waste will be collected weekly, recycling will be collected fortnightly, and black bins every three weeks. West Berkshire Council said recent analysis showed 42% of black bin contents could be recycled, with 22% being food authority said the figures highlighted "a big opportunity" to reduce the amount of waste thrown Gourley, the council's executive member for environment and highways, said the changes would help create a "cleaner, greener West Berkshire"."We understand that changes to waste collection can be challenging and feel disruptive, but we want to reassure residents that this decision has been made with significant thought, care, and a long-term vision for our community," he said."This change is necessary to ensure a more sustainable future for West Berkshire. By recycling more and reducing black bin waste, we can protect services, help the environment, and move towards our goal of recycling 60% of household waste by 2030."The council said larger families or those with medical needs could apply for extra black bin space, and extra recycling containers were being offered free of with more information will be distributed to households between 24 August and 5 September. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
