AI in Waste Management Market Size, Growth | Forecast 2031

Report Description

The global artificial intelligence (AI) in waste management market size was valued at USD XX Billion in 2022 and is likely to reach USD XX Billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of XX% during the forecast period, 2023–2031. The market growth is attributed to the increasing demand for intelligent waste management technology.

Incorporating AI and robotics into the design and operation of urban waste treatment plants can transform how solid waste is managed, leading to increasing operational efficiency and promoting more sustainable waste management practices. This technology is crucial for smart city projects, which are underway all over the world. Companies in the market are developing various innovative waste collection and management solutions with AI. These factors are likely to boost artificial intelligence in waste management market.

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• On June 7, 2023, Intuitive AI, a developer of the industry-leading zero-waste platform launched Oscar Pocket, which helps to make recycling of the world’s most popular brands intuitive and accessible. Oscar Pocket is the first generative artificial intelligence built to aid quick-serve restaurants, CPGs, and municipalities to allow people to better recycle and sort their waste.

Several developed countries such as Japan, the UK, Germany, South Korea, and others have started adopting AI technologies to increase efficiency, resource utilization, and recycling opportunities in the solid waste management cycle. This technology is expected to play a key role in developing sustainable waste management models, particularly for transitioning to a zero-waste circular economy, while considering economic, social, and environmental factors.

The market report finds that the COVID-19 pandemic fueled the artificial intelligence (AI) in waste management market. Resuming production activities along with reviving economies and the start of vaccination campaigns in many countries increases the total waste generation and allows the waste recycling industry and management companies to resume their full-scale range.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Waste Management Market Dynamics

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Major Drivers

Increasing demand for artificial technology (AI) in managing electronic waste and the shortened life cycle of electronic products is expected to drive artificial intelligence (AI) in waste management market. The most significant challenge in e-waste management is the complex nature of electronic devices, which are composed of several materials including costly metals such as silver, gold, copper, and also hazardous substances such as lead and mercury.

This is where AI-powered e-waste recycling comes into play, reforming the future of waste management by turning waste into a useful material. This AI e-waste recycling includes using advanced ML algorithms and robotics to dismantle, sort, and extract costly materials from e-waste. This factor is likely to increase the demand for AI usage in e-waste management.

• According to the World Counts Site, around 40 million tons of e-waste is generated every year worldwide. Studies suggest, of this e-waste, about 12.5% is recycled, and around 85% is dumped into landfills and incinerators are mostly burned, which release harmful toxins into the air.

Existing Restraints

High greenhouses gases (GHG) emissions by AI-powered devices are expected to hinder artificial intelligence (AI) in waste management market. In the training process, some AI devices are energy-intensive. For instance, researchers revealed training one robot emits up to 284 tons of GHG, which increases atmospheric degradation. Their emissions rates are 5 fold higher than a conventional car’s emissions throughout its lifetime.

Emerging Opportunities

Increasing number of construction projects is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market players. Construction sites have an inclination to get tarnished, which makes it problematic for workers to stay productive. Executing waste management practices on site from the start of the project helps maintain order and keep everyone concentrated on their tasks.

In the construction industry, AI helps to enhance operation safety, accuracy, speed, and efficiency. With AI construction solutions, several companies are proactively monitoring job sites for potential hazards and addressing life-threatening issues to prevent accidents.

• In March 2022, Slate Technologies, an AI platform for the construction industry, launched a digital assistant for the construction industry. Slate uses AI and ML to expand the efficiency of construction professionals by enabling better, earlier decision-making to keep building projects on time, maximizing revenue.

Scope of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Waste Management Market Report

The market report includes an assessment of the market trends, market segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Waste Management Market Segment Insights

Waste Type Segment Analysis

Based on waste type, the market is divided into industrial waste, e-waste, hazardous, plastic, bio-medical, and others. The e-waste segment is expected to expand at a significant pace during the projection period, as it saves landfills, reduces GHG emissions, and increases affordability. Rapidly increasing technology advancements have resulted in the development of electronic products and improved versions of existing products, reducing their self-life and, which in turn, resulting in higher e-waste generation.

Artificial intelligence (AI) driven e-waste recycling involves using innovative machine learning algorithms and robotics to destroy, sort, and extract valuable materials from electronic waste. This advanced approach not only simplifies the recycling process but also reduces the environmental impact of e-waste disposal. This factor is likely to boost the segment in the market.

The industrial waste segment is anticipated to hold a key share of the market in the coming years, owing to rapid urbanization and industrialization. Industrial waste management involves source reduction, reuse of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes produced from industrial areas and manufacturing. The countless tons of waste generated by industries and households across the world can be efficiently managed with the right AI solutions. These systems automate the process and also increase transparency throughout the entire process. This factor is likely to increase the demand for the segment in the market.

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Technology Segment Analysis

On the basis of technology, the global market is segregated into predictive models, classification robots, smart garbage bins, and others. The smart garbage bins segment is projected to register a considerable CAGR during the forecast period, as it saves time, reduces costs, and implements data-driven collection routes.

The smart trash bin is a new technology that integrates waste containers with smart sensors, AI, and robotics. This allows tracking through waste management processes. Artificial intelligence-powered sensors effectively capture different types of waste such as organic, solid, medical waste, industry or chemical waste, and recycling waste, thus, in turn, is likely to drive the segment.

Service Segment Analysis

Based on service, the artificial intelligence (AI) in waste management market is segmented into landfill, open dumping, recycling, incineration, and others. The landfill segment is expected to register a robust growth rate during the forecast period, owing to the increased need to manage waste that cannot be disposed of. Landfills are located, designed, monitored, and operated to ensure compliance with specified government regulations.

Landfills are designed to protect the environment from contaminants, that are present in the waste stream. AI technology involves in landfills that are used to facilitate more effective and efficient waste classification and recycling. ML technologies are used to identify the types of waste such as metals, plastics, paper, and other materials for more efficient and accurate recycling.

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End-user Segment Analysis

On the basis of end-user, the global market is segregated into commercial, residential, and industrial. The residential segment is expected to expand at a significant pace during the projection period, due to the increasing disposable income and preference of consumers regarding e-shopping.

Waste collected from multiple and single-family residences falls under residential. Consumer durables, toys, discarded plastic bags, e-waste products, fast-moving consumer goods, household hazardous waste, and other packaging materials collectively signify waste generated by households. Rising waste from households, owing to consumerism culture requires the implementation of smart waste management technology solutions.

Regional Analysis

In terms of region, the global artificial intelligence (AI) in waste management market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the market during the projection period, owing to the increasing waste generation and government initiatives for implementing smart city projects. The rising use of electronics, growing consumption of packaged foods, and rise of medical waste are some of the factors causing the surge in waste volumes in the region.

Increasing disposable income. Industrialization and urbanization are rapidly leading to changes in lifestyle. This is propelling the consumerism culture, which, in turn, increases waste generation. The growing government initiatives in major economies such as India, China, and Japan, for cleanliness and efficient waste collection & disposal are likely to propel the adoption of smart waste management technologies in the region.  

The market in North America is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace in the coming years, due to the strict regulations regarding waste management, and rising waste generation due to illegal dumping. The regional market growth is further attributed to the increase in commercialization and development of waste management techniques. Government organizations in the region are working along with private players in the market to develop efficient smart technology solutions to enhance waste management.

• On November 16, 2022, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Zabble, Inc., a firm specializing in zero-waste solutions with the use of AI insights, is awarded a contract worth USD 400,000 to further the development of a zero-waste management platform that uses AI. The contract was presented under EPAs Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. It’s one of the eight such awards given by the EPA in 2022.

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