Moldova seeks stronger recycling infrastructure while US firms invest $1.4 bn in AI sorting

In the Republic of Moldova only about 10% of plastic waste is recycled, with the remainder ending up in landfills. The government is rolling out a Deposit System for Packaging, slated to become operational by 25 January 2027, and has appointed the association ECO‑RET MOLDOVA to manage it. Officials say the system will allow consumers to return glass, plastic and metal beverage containers and recover the deposit paid, and they are considering taxes and sanctions to meet recycling targets.

In the United States the recycling industry is turning to artificial intelligence to improve sorting efficiency. Waste Management, the nation’s largest waste collector, is investing more than $1.4 billion in automated sorting facilities, while Colorado‑based startup AMP is building AI‑driven plants that use computer‑vision robots to identify and separate individual items on conveyor belts. Proponents say the technology can halve landfill volumes, create new revenue streams from sorted recyclables, produce bio‑char for carbon credits and save municipalities significant transport costs.