![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/bmh-ppie\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/178\/2023\/05\/HSI-image-for-plastic-sorting-blog-zoomed-300x247.jpg\")
Image of hyperspectral camera system displaying components. From Taneepanichskul, Hailes and Miodownik (2023)<\/p><\/div>\n
In March 2023, a team led by Prof Miodownik<\/a> at UCL published in Frontiers in Sustainability <\/a>details of a machine learning model<\/u> capable of isolating compostable and biodegradable plastics from conventional fuel based varieties. The team designed a classification system based on hyperspectral imaging (HSI), which scans materials\u2019 chemical signatures to produce a pixel-by-pixel description of samples. They trained a machine learning program on this data, which subsequently sorted individual pieces of plastic waste.<\/p>\n They tested the technology on various plastic types:<\/p>\n Fuel-based and recyclable (although actual recycling is location-dependent):<\/p>\n Bio-based and compostable:<\/p>\n Biomass-derived and compostable:<\/p>\n The team tested pieces ranging in size from 5-50mm2 and found that their model achieved perfect accuracy <\/b>in sorting plastic materials larger than 10 x 10 mm (>1 cm2). For smaller items, the model\u2019s sorting rates varied depending on the material.\u00a0 Nonetheless, the initial results showed great promise for the model if honed and scaled up to meet industrial demands.<\/p>\n How will this help us?<\/b><\/u><\/p>\n Automatic sorting via machine learning has the potential to significantly improve plastic sorting efficiency and accuracy and downstream recycling or composting. The advantages of compostable packaging will only be realized when they are industrially composted (>75\u00b0C in machines) and not disposed of in the environment or contaminating waste streams, such as plastic recycling or food waste for compost. If left on a field, the plastics will only degrade very slowly and are likely to leach microplastics.<\/p>\n Automatic sorting is thus a key technology to improve recycling and make compostable plastics a sustainable alternative to recycling. It is urgent to invest in such technologies to optimize them and scale them for industrial use.\u00a0<\/p>\n Read the original research article.<\/a><\/p>\n The content discussed in this article aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:<\/a><\/p>\n To find out more about Environmental Sustainability: visit the Faculty\u2019s\u00a0intranet page<\/a>,\u00a0website<\/a>\u00a0or contact\u00a0srbmh@manchester.ac.uk<\/a>. For more information on Environmental\u00a0Sustainability at the University watch this\u00a0short film<\/a>\u00a0or visit their\u00a0website<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=”3.0.106″ in_same_term=”off” show_prev=”on” show_next=”on” prev_text=”Previous” next_text=”Next” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”3.0.106″ show_avatar=”on” show_reply=”on” show_count=”on” background_layout=”light” header_font_size_tablet=”51″ header_line_height_tablet=”2″ custom_button=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_use_icon=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Related posts” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_layout=”light” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”3.0.106″ area=”sidebar-1″ orientation=”left” show_border=”off” background_layout=”light” locked=”on” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Connect Title” module_class=”footer-section” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_color=”#1d1d1d” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” global_module=”380″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” global_parent=”380″ parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” module_id=”footer-row” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ locked=”off”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us Title” global_parent=”380″ _builder_version=”3.17.6″ text_text_color=”#ffffff” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us” global_parent=”380″ _builder_version=”3.17.6″ text_text_color=”#ffffff” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark”]<\/p>\n The Social Responsibility Public Engagement Digest<\/span>: https:\/\/www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk\/connect\/social-responsibility\/contact\/<\/a><\/p>\n The Faculty Website<\/span>: https:\/\/www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk\/connect\/social-responsibility\/public-patients\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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Related<\/h1>\n
Related posts:<\/h3>
New LEAF SharePoint Site: University-wide resource for contacts, resources and case studies<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a>
News from a sustainable NHS on our doorstep: Manchester University NHS\u202fFoundation Trust (MFT)<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a>
Unlocking the Potential of Circular Bioeconomy: A Path to a Sustainable Future<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>
Further information<\/span><\/h4>\n