The waste and recycling industry is undergoing a major transformation due to the integration of technology, including AI and robotics. These technologies are revolutionising the way waste is managed, sorted and recycled.

New waste legislation took effect in England in March 2025. It requires workplaces to separate dry recyclable materials like plastic, metal, glass, paper, and card. Workplaces must also separate food waste and residual (non-recyclable) waste.

The population continues to grow and so does the volume of waste it produces. Operators in the waste sector will continue to embrace technology and should consider the following:

• Increased use of smart bins to optimise collection
• Compartmentalised vehicles to handle separated waste, or run separate and more frequent collections to handle recyclables
• Adoption of AI and robotics at the waste facility to sort recyclables and non-recyclables
• Sale of sorted recyclables to generate a new revenue stream.

For more information on how technology is changing waste collection, read the original article on the HCR Law website.

If you need advice, contact me at +44 20 3824 9748 or fjennings@hcrlaw.com.