Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages (CCSWB), the local Coca-Cola bottler serving Texas and parts of Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arkansas, has teamed up with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to introduce a sustainability program centered around AI-powered recycling bins.
This collaboration has led to the installation of four AI-powered recycling bins equipped with artificial intelligence from SmartSort Technologies. These units aim to make waste separation easier for environmentally mindful travelers, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable atmosphere throughout the airport.
The AI-powered recycling bins feature an intuitive interface designed for ease of use. As travelers approach a unit, an integrated camera scans the items for disposal. Instructions will quickly appear on the screen, guiding users to sort their waste correctly.
Abraham Tueme, director of sustainability at Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, highlighted the long-term goals of the partnership involving these AI-powered recycling bins.
“It takes time to create meaningful change, and our focus is on introducing long-term solutions that truly make a difference in reducing waste and promoting sustainability. Installing SmartSort units at DFW Airport allows us to advance recycling efforts in our community in a way that benefits both travelers and the local environment.”
The deployment of the recycling bins is a key part of this strategy.
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Additionally, these AI-powered recycling bins provide a stream of data to support the airport’s long-term sustainability objectives. Each unit tracks the amount of recycled materials and offers detailed insights into their final destinations, showcasing the effectiveness of the recycling bins.
DFW officials noted that this data-driven approach enhances transparency and accountability within the airport’s recycling processes, enabling more informed decisions and continuous improvements to waste management strategies.
“The introduction of AI-powered recycling bins enhances the traveler experience and reinforces our efforts to create a more sustainable airport through innovation and technology,” stated Robert Horton, VP of environmental affairs and sustainability at DFW Airport.
“Incremental steps like this can build better traveler habits that help reduce waste, increase recycling and engage our customers in new and exciting ways.”
This initiative at DFW follows CCSWB’s successful implementation of AI-powered recycling bins at the American Airlines Center during the NCAA Women’s Final Four Tournament in 2023, where 12 SmartSort units similar to these AI-powered recycling bins were deployed.