Ohio City Using AI-Equipped Garbage Trucks To Scan Your Trash, Scold You For Not Recycling

The city of Centerville, Ohio has deployed AI-enabled garbage trucks that scan residents' trash and send personalized postcards scolding them for improper recycling. Dayton Daily News reports: 'Reducing contamination in our recycling system lowers processing costs and improves the overall efficiency of our collection,' City Manager Wayne Davis said in a statement regarding the AI pilot program. 'This technology allows us to target problem areas, educate residents and make better use of city resources.' Residents whose items don't meet the guidelines will be notified via a personalized postcard, one that tells them which items are not accepted and provides tips on proper recycling.

The total contract amount for the project is $74,945, which is entirely funded through a Montgomery County Solid Waste District grant, Centerville spokeswoman Kate Bostdorff told this news outlet. The project launched Monday, Bostdorff said. 'A couple of the trucks have been collecting baseline recycling data, and we have been working through software training for a few weeks now,' she said. Centerville said it will continually evaluate how well the AI system works and use what it learns during the pilot project to 'guide future program enhancements.'

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