Within the scope of the Re_source open innovation ecosystem, Tetra Pak and Valorsul joined forces with the startup Recycleye to address the critical challenge of improving the efficiency and accuracy of sorting beverage cartons in recycling facilities.

The pilot involved the deployment of Portugal’s first AI-powered robotic sorting system for beverage cartons at a Valorsul sorting facility. The robot, developed by Recycleye and successfully implemented in the UK and Europe, utilizes computer vision and machine learning to identify and separate cartons from mixed waste streams with high precision – operating continuously, and adapting its performance through data-driven learning.

By automating a traditionally manual and error-prone task, the solution increases material recovery rates, reduces contamination, and improves the overall quality of recyclable outputs sent downstream. The data generated also provides valuable insights into waste composition, supporting better decision-making and process optimisation.

This pilot represents a significant step forward in the digital transformation of recycling infrastructure in Portugal, demonstrating how robotics and artificial intelligence can strengthen recycling systems, enhance operational resilience, and accelerate progress towards circular economy targets.