Amazon is funding cutting-edge AI and robotics technology aimed at minimising landfill waste and boosting the utilisation of recycled materials in packaging.
San Francisco-based startup, Glacier, is the latest recipient of investment and employs AI-powered robots to automate the sorting of recyclables and collect real-time data on recycling streams for recycling companies and consumer brands.
Founded in 2019, Glacier says it focuses on developing affordable and effective robotic solutions for the recycling industry, claiming its process can be up to 60% more affordable than its competitors.
Glacier’s AI model reportedly distinguishes over 30 recyclable material types, ranging from broad categories like PET plastic to specific items like toothpaste tubes. This AI system is integrated with their custom-designed robots to achieve consistent sorting performance while reducing the cost of implementation.
“After researching a variety of climate solutions, we discovered that applying novel advances in AI and robotic automation to help the recycling industry run more efficiently is a powerful way to reduce waste, which has a direct link to reducing carbon emissions,” said Rebecca Hu, one of the founders of Glacier.
The investment comes as part of the e-commerce giant’s Climate Pledge Fund, its corporate venture capital arm dedicated to investing in climate tech enterprises, aimed at expediting Amazon’s progress towards fulfilling the commitments of The Climate Pledge. NEA, along with partners AlleyCorp, Overture Climate VC and VSC Ventures were also involved in the funding round.
Glacier’s inclusion in Amazon’s investment portfolio marks the company’s 25th venture, joining the ranks of other notable examples like hydrogen developer Plug Power and EV manufacturer, Rivian.
“In order to build a future where new materials can be recycled at scale, we must test options to move these materials through the recycling system,” said Nick Ellis, principal of the Climate Pledge Fund.
“Partnering with Glacier will enable us to test the role of novel AI and robotics-based recycling technologies so that we can identify and aggregate novel packaging materials that can ultimately be recycled and repurposed.”
