♻️ Tacoma Is Putting AI Cameras on Recycling Trucks

A two-year pilot aims to keep more recyclables out of landfills

If you live in Tacoma, you might start noticing AI-powered cameras mounted on city recycling trucks. It’s not a sci-fi experiment — it’s a practical effort to make curbside recycling cleaner and more efficient.

🚛 How It Works

The cameras, paired with artificial intelligence software, scan recycling bins as they’re emptied. If they spot items that don’t belong — like certain plastic bags, greasy pizza boxes, or non-recyclable containers — they’ll log it.

Afterward, the system sends a postcard to the household, explaining what went wrong and including a photo of the contamination. The idea is to help residents understand common mistakes and improve recycling habits over time.

💰 Backed by a $1.8 Million EPA Grant

The entire program is being funded through a $1.8 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. That means the pilot won’t directly impact Tacoma ratepayers.

Right now, only one recycling truck is outfitted with the technology, but the city plans to add more during the two-year trial.

🔒 Privacy Protections in Place

City officials stress that privacy is a priority. The AI system automatically blurs faces, license plates, and any personal identifiers before images are processed or stored.

🌱 Why It Matters

Contamination in recycling can lead to entire truckloads of materials being sent to the landfill instead of being processed — a costly and wasteful outcome. Tacoma hopes this pilot will reduce those losses, making the city’s recycling program more efficient and environmentally friendly.

If the program proves successful, it could become a model for other cities across the Pacific Northwest.

📨 I’m Aaron Thomas, a local realtor — be sure to follow me for more South Sound updates just like this one. Every Friday we put out a newsletter covering everything from Tacoma to Olympia, all the best events and things to know about local businesses and community news. We’re working hard to keep you in the know, so you don’t have to try to stay in the know.

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