Cost benefits of Robotic Solution for Recycling

Over the past few years, the refractories industry has had to re-evaluate material recycling due to growing pollution concerns. Companies engaging in material recycling can save up to 30% of their total costs, highlighting the economic benefits of this practice. The typical plastic recycling process involves hand-sorting plastic waste, washing it in machines, and mechanically shredding it into pellets and granules using single-unit extruders. Managing this business operation is not only tedious with traditional practices, but it also requires a significant amount of money and physical presence to maintain high-quality plastic segregation. To improve this process long-term, a robotic solution, as mentioned in the previous blog, is necessary to fast-track operations and achieve better returns.?

But did you know your investment in robotic segregation can help you save money?

• Labor Savings

One of the most immediate economic benefits of robotic segregation is the potential savings in labor costs. By reducing reliance on manual labor for sorting, MRFs can allocate human resources to more strategic and less hazardous tasks. Additionally, the automation of sorting processes helps manage the backlog of waste more efficiently, further reducing labor-related expenses.

• Material Recovery

Enhanced sorting accuracy leads to increased recovery of valuable materials. Higher purity levels of sorted recyclables can fetch better prices in the market, boosting revenue for MRFs. The ability to recover more materials also means less waste is sent to landfills, contributing to environmental sustainability and reducing disposal costs.

• Calculating Return on Investment (ROI)

Investing in robots for waste segregation presents a substantial return on investment due to significant efficiency and cost savings. Initially, there is a considerable investment required to procure three robots with a vision unit. However, these robots offer an increase in productivity, segregating four times more waste per day compared to human labor. While three human laborers can manage 1.5 tons of waste per day, the robots handle 6 tons daily. This enhanced productivity leads to lower operational costs per ton of waste segregated. Over time, the consistency and reliability of robots further amplify these benefits, eliminating the variability and potential downtime associated with human labor.

In terms of financial returns, the initial investment in robots becomes more cost-effective than relying on human labor after approximately 10-14 months. This marks the break-even point, beyond which the cumulative savings from using robots surpass the initial expenditure. The robots keep costs down while you scale up, making them a smart long-term investment. Ultimately, the productivity boost and cost reduction per ton of segregated waste result in a high return on investment, making the adoption of robotic solutions a financially sound decision for operations.

• Environmental Impact

Robotic segregation offers significant environmental benefits. By improving the efficiency and accuracy of recycling processes, MRFs can reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. This reduction in landfill waste decreases greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation. Additionally, higher recovery rates of valuable materials reduce the need for virgin resources, promoting sustainable resource use.

Conclusion

Implementing more cost-effective segregation technology can alleviate the current tedious and financially draining waste management methods, which involve numerous business decisions, manual labor, and extensive documentation. Integrating our advanced robotic solutions can significantly improve this process. The data provided by our technology enables more informed and efficient decision-making, optimizing the entire waste management workflow. By improving sorting quality, ensuring worker safety, and providing valuable data insights, robotic systems offer substantial economic and environmental benefits. The resulting cost savings and increased revenue lead to a positive ROI, making robotic segregation a worthwhile investment for recyclers and MRFs. As India continues to urbanize and generate more waste, adopting advanced technologies like robotic segregation is essential for creating a sustainable and efficient waste management system. Reduce your costs with Wastefull Insights!