New robots and AI-technology are currently being installed at the Fremont Recycling and Transfer Station. BLT Enterprises announced $10 million dollars worth of improvements to the recycling and waste facility in Fremont. The star of these changes are two new robots and five new AI-enabled optical sorters that will help separate different types of recyclable items.
BLT Enterprises offers waste management services to multiple California cities and is responsible for building the Fremont Recycling and Transfer Station about 20 years ago. The facility is located at 41149 Boyce Road in Fremont.
BLT Enterprises Recycling and Waste Management president Shawn Guttersen said the brand new equipment will provide upgrades to the nearly 20-year-old facility. According to a press release, the optical sorters use AI to identify and quickly separate plastic, paper and metals.
“That new technology is estimated [to] be recovering or recycling an additional three million pounds of recyclables per year,” Guttersen said.
The new sorters would also minimize the worker’s exposure to waste and reduce injuries. Other improvements include new solar panels that will provide clean power to 65% of the facility. The facility is getting a fresh coat of paint and fixtures for their indoor and outdoor areas along with new modernized gathering spaces. Guttersen said the new equipment is expected to be fully installed and running some time between Dec. 1 and Dec. 15.
The robots are a few years behind the AI-enabled optical sorters. Guttersen explained they will be used as quality control, picking up film, plastics and cardboard, for now.
“They’ll learn with the AI technology they see the most, that’s going by them on the conveyor belt, to be determined once we get going. We’ll find out what materials are going by the robots and we’ll program them to pick up that material [too],” he said.
The facility sorts recyclables but also accepts household waste from Fremont, Newark and Union City. Alameda County residents can stop by and drop off hazardous waste, including paint, household cleaning supplies and electronic waste. Items dropped off that are still in good condition are up for grabs in the facility’s Reuse Area.
