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Read the latest news about cutting edge technology developed by Prairie Robotics

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From the Archives

  • September 28, 2025

    AI used to Identify Contamination in Curbside Garbage

    HAZMAT Management explains how Prairie Robotics Smart Cameras, high-precision GPS and onboard computers capture data at every stop, flag contamination and missed collections in real time, and feed a cloud dashboard used by waste companies across North America.

    John Nicholson

    HAZMAT Management

  • August 14, 2025

    Tacoma tests AI-enabled curbside recycling cameras

    With EPA grant funding, Tacoma is using Prairie Robotics truck-mounted Smart Cameras to detect contamination at the curb and tailor resident outreach, as the company expands to about 40 cities across the U.S. and Canada.

    Megan Quinn

    Smart Cities Dive

  • August 11, 2025

    Tacoma Turns to AI Cameras to Clean Up Recycling

    Tacoma's Solid Waste Management Division is partnering with Prairie Robotics to roll out Smart Cameras across the city over the next year, detecting contamination and educating residents on what belongs in the curbside program.

    MeriTalk State & Local

  • August 8, 2025

    Washington city turns to AI to clean up its recycling

    Tacoma will use Prairie Robotics Smart Cameras to flag items that do not belong in recycling carts and mail residents postcards with photos and tips, in a two-year program backed by a $1.8 million EPA grant.

    Rachyl Jones

    Semafor

  • July 9, 2025

    City launches AI program to improve recycling efforts

    Centerville, Ohio, is equipping recycling trucks with cameras that scan cart contents as they are emptied. Households with flagged items receive a postcard explaining what can and cannot be recycled, helping the city cut contamination and keep collection efficient.

    WHIO Staff

    WHIO

  • May 5, 2025

    Olympia Launching Smart Recycling Initiative to Reduce Contamination

    Olympia, Washington, is outfitting its recycling trucks with Smart Cameras that identify contaminants such as plastic bags, foam and yard waste. Residents receive postcards or digital notices, in a collaboration between the Washington State Department of Ecology, The Recycling Partnership and Prairie Robotics.

    Jessica Carbaugh

    South Sound Magazine

  • May 5, 2025

    Olympia launching high-tech curbside recycling program

    The City of Olympia is launching a contamination reduction project that uses Prairie Robotics Smart Cameras and computers on recycling trucks to spot items that do not belong and help residents build better recycling habits.

    Wyatt Haupt Jr.

    The JOLT News

  • April 23, 2025

    Cameras to check recycling contents in new program

    Olympic Disposal, Clallam County and the City of Sequim are deploying Prairie Robotics Smart Cameras to inspect curbside recycling carts for items like plastic bags and foam. Funded by the Washington State Department of Ecology with support from The Recycling Partnership, the program covers more than 8,000 homes.

    Peninsula Daily News

  • February 2025

    Kalamazoo Michigan launches recycling contamination campaign

    Kalamazoo, Michigan, partnered with EGLE, The Recycling Partnership, and Prairie Robotics to launch a campaign using smart cameras on recycling trucks to reduce contamination, providing real-time feedback to residents. The initiative builds on past efforts to improve recycling and decrease waste.

    American Recycler

  • July 23, 2024

    Smart Camera platform being used to weed out foreign contaminants from Medicine Hat garbage bins

    In Medicine Hat, artificial intelligence is improving the green bin program by detecting foreign contaminants. Solid Waste Superintendent Dallas Sutherland reports success in reducing landfill contamination and cleanup time. Prairie Robotics CEO Sam Dietrich highlights the program's cost-effectiveness and its role in extending landfill life.

    Adrian St. Onge

    CHAT News Today

  • July 15, 2024

    City of Lethbridge using Smart Cameras to reduce waste contamination

    A new project in Lethbridge uses AI-equipped trucks to detect contaminants in recycling bins and educate residents. Collections Manager James Nicholls reports that 13% of items are incorrect. Households will receive postcards for contaminants found, promoting awareness without penalties. The program prioritizes privacy and will run until spring 2025 to inform future use.

    David Opinko / Nadia Kearl

    Lethbridge News NOW

  • July 15, 2024

    Curbing residential cart contamination with AI

    Lethbridge adopts smart camera platform to reduce contamination in both recycling and organic waste. Partnering with Prairie Robotics, the system scans carts on collection trucks and sends postcards to residents with tips on proper sorting.

    City of Lethbridge

  • July 1, 2024

    From Innovation Challenge to Smart Camera powered waste diversion

    In response to Innovation Saskatchewan’s call for public sector challenges through its Innovation Challenge, the Ministry of Environment partnered with Prairie Robotics to automate waste audits using AI, improving recycling and resident education. The technology, now in 20+ cities, showcases the success of the Innovation Challenge program in driving both technological and economic growth.

    Innovation Saskatchewan

  • June 4, 2024

    Collection trucks can be outfitted with Smart Camera technology to detect contamination in recycling.

    In Greensboro, North Carolina, waste reduction supervisor Tori Carle compares inspecting recycling bins for contaminants to playing I Spy, highlighting the need for careful observation. To tackle the challenges posed by contaminants like plastic bags that raise costs and complicate sorting, the city has partnered with Prairie Robotics to implement Smart Camera platform and a mobile app for tracking waste and educating residents.

    Shelley Mann

    Waste Today

  • May 28, 2024

    Collection trucks can be outfitted with Smart Camera technology to detect contamination in recycling.

    The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District has partnered with Prairie Robotics to provide real-time feedback on curbside sorting. Starting this spring, residents will get notifications if non-compostable items are found in organics carts. The educational program aims to improve sorting and reduce landfill waste, supporting the region’s composting efforts.

    ACRD

    Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District

  • May 23, 2024

    Michigan city to retrofit recycling trucks with AI technology

    Holland, Michigan, launched a 12-month program with Prairie Robotics, The Recycling Partnership and a $38,000 EGLE grant to install Smart Cameras, GPS and computers on city recycling trucks, becoming the third Michigan municipality to use the technology.

    Shelley Mann

    Waste Today

  • May 2024

    The City of Holland Chosen for Grant Project to Improve Residential Recycling

    Holland, Michigan, joined EGLE, The Recycling Partnership and Prairie Robotics on a 12-month program that puts Smart Cameras on city recycling trucks to flag items like plastic bags and foam. Backed by a $38,368 EGLE grant, it gives 9,500 households personalized postcard or digital feedback.

    City of Holland

  • May 2024

    Cameras and computers will help improve Holland recycling rates

    Through an EGLE and Recycling Partnership grant, Holland is partnering with Republic Services and Prairie Robotics to put Smart Cameras on its recycling trucks. Flagged contaminants like foam, plastic bags and trash trigger customized postcards that teach households how to recycle right.

    Marianne Manderfield

    City of Holland

  • April 11, 2024

    East Lansing finds an intelligent solution to household recycling errors

    East Lansing, reduced recycling contamination by 23% in just 24-weeks using Smart Cameras on trucks. Partnering with Prairie Robotics, The Recycling Partnership, and EGLE, the city sent postcards to educate residents. The project, which flagged contaminants like plastic bags, earned East Lansing a top-three spot for National Program of the Year by Resource Recycling, Inc.

    Michigan EGLE

  • April 5, 2024

    Artificial intelligence roots out sloppy recyclers in Central Okanagan

    A five-month program with the Regional District of Central Okanagan, Recycle BC, Environmental 360 Solutions and Prairie Robotics put Smart Cameras on four recycling trucks. It cut curbside contamination by 23 per cent, and more than a third of residents changed their habits after one postcard.

    Kathy Michaels

    Global News

  • February 19, 2024

    Cutting-Edge Collection

    Prairie Robotics is featured showcasing how Smart Cameras are used across the waste industry to identify household contaminants and send personalized notifications. The impact of Smart Cameras on extended producer responsibility legislation is explored.

    Marissa Heffernan

    Resource Recycling

  • January 25, 2024

    New London County Recycling Authority Uses Smart Cameras for waste audits

    New London County, CT, is using Smart Cameras to improve recycling. Cameras on trucks detect contaminants like plastic bags, sending postcards with photos and recycling tips to residents. The program aims to reduce contamination, improve recycling quality, and save costs.

    Chris Rhatigan

    Patch

  • December 5, 2023

    Prairie Robotics Installs Smart Camera Tech for Bay City

    Bay City has started an innovative Smart Camera project to improve recycling, partnering with EGLE, The Recycling Partnership, and Prairie Robotics. Trucks will use cameras to analyze curbside bins and send personalized feedback to residents on contaminants.

    Emily Keinath

    Waste360

  • November 27, 2023

    Smart Cameras To Scan Recycling

    The Central Okanagan is launching a Smart Camera program to enhance residential recycling. Partnering with Recycle BC, Environmental 360 Solutions, and Prairie Robotics, the initiative aims to reduce contamination and avoid penalties. Trucks will use cameras to identify incorrect items, sending real-time feedback and postcards to residents while ensuring privacy.

    Rob Gibson

    Castanet

  • November 14, 2023

    High-tech tools promise residential recycling improvements

    Bay City has initiated a Smart Camera project to enhance recycling accuracy in partnership with EGLE, The Recycling Partnership, and Prairie Robotics. This initiative aims to reduce contamination, improve public education, and support the city's recycling goals, building on a previous cart distribution that doubled its recycling capacity.

    Michigan EGLE

  • October 17, 2023

    AI expands from MRFs to vehicles

    Prairie Robotics is deploying Smart Cameras in collection trucks to detect recycling contamination at the source. AI is seen as a new standard in the industry, attracting new workers and addressing contamination issues.

    Marissa Heffernan

    Plastics Recycling Update

  • August 30, 2023

    App lets residents see what can be recycled in their area

    Since 2018, Greensboro's Recycle Right program has cut recycling contamination from 36.2% to 25%, a reduction of nearly one-third. Auditors assess the city's 12 dirtiest routes and use a color-coded sticker system to inform residents about recycling violations. The new GSO Collects app also aids in educating the community on acceptable recyclable items.

    Sydney McCoy

    Spectrum News

  • June 26, 2023

    How Smart Cameras on garbage trucks will help a small Alberta city's residents with sorting

    Leduc, Alberta, is introducing Smart Cameras in waste collection trucks to identify contaminants in organics carts. The system will send postcards to households with photos of violations, aiming to reduce the current 20% contamination rate to 10%. The program focuses on educating residents to improve waste diversion efforts.

    Stephanie Swensrude

    Global News

  • May 19, 2023

    Sam Dietrich Drives Innovation Through AI and Partnerships

    Sam Dietrich, CEO of Prairie Robotics, is revolutionizing waste management with AI that identifies recycling contamination. His technology equips trucks with cameras and GPS, enabling efficient education for residents. Recognized in Waste360's 40 Under 40, Dietrich focuses on community engagement and collaboration to enhance recycling practices.

    Gage Edwards

    Waste360

  • Sept 23, 2022

    East Lansing launches program to help residents recycle better

    East Lansing is launching a six-month program to enhance recycling using cameras on collection trucks to spot contaminants. This will allow the city to send postcards with recycling tips linked to individual addresses. The initiative complements the Recycle Coach app to better educate residents.

    Michelle Jokisch Polo

    WKAR Public Media

  • June 16, 2022

    Reduce, reuse, recycle ... Regina

    Prairie Robotics, founded by University of Regina graduates, leverages Smart Cameras and GPS to reduce recycling contamination. Existing client, the City of Regina saw contamination drop by 41.5%, boosting recycling efficiency. With support from local governments and investors, Prairie Robotics plans to expand its technology across Canada and the U.S.

    Degrees Magazine by The University of Regina

  • April 22, 2022

    Energetic City announces innovative recycling education partnership

    The City of Fort St. John has partnered with Prairie Robotics to automate recycling audits. The technology will identify contamination in bins, and residents will receive educational postcards when issues arise. Public Works Director Jeremy Garner highlighted the need for support in recycling efforts, following past measures like fines for improper recycling.

    Shailynn Foster

    Energetic City.ca

  • December 2, 2021

    Les finalistes du Coopérathon de cette année ouvrent la voie à un avenir durable

    Malgré l'augmentation des émissions de carbone, la crise climatique persiste. Au Coopérathon de Desjardins, des start-ups ont proposé des solutions d'IA pour l'économie circulaire, avec plus de 100,000 $ en prix. Prairie Robotics utilise l'IoT et le Machine Learning pour réduire la contamination du recyclage et éduquer les ménages, aidant les municipalités à économiser et à protéger les travailleurs.

    Brian Cann, Regional Director, Microsoft – Eastern Canada

    Microsoft

  • October 12, 2021

    Prairie Robotics: Recycling Made Simple

    Innovation Saskatchewan tells the story of how Prairie Robotics grew from its 2019 Innovation Challenge win into a Smart Camera platform that finds recycling contamination at the household level and helps residents recycle right.

    Innovation Saskatchewan

  • August 24, 2021

    Cart tags: A growing force in fight against contamination

    North American cities are enhancing curbside recycling inspections to cut contamination. Olympia's cart tagging engages residents, while Centerville's 'Recycle Right' program educates on mistakes. Regina, Saskatchewan uses Prairie Robotics' automated technology. Some cities impose penalties, including cart confiscation, for repeat offenders to encourage better recycling practices.

    Colin Staub

    Resource Recycling

  • August 12, 2021

    City's CartSmart program adds cameras to catch improper recycling

    Regina's recycling trucks will use cameras to identify improper items in blue carts, part of the CartSmart program. This aims to reduce the 9.5% contamination rate from 2020. Residents will receive an “Oops” mailout with tips for any incorrect items spotted. Inspections will increase from 2,000 to 10,000 carts this year.

    Leader Post

  • August 9, 2021

    City of Regina making high-tech change to recycling program

    The City of Regina is using cameras on recycling trucks to reduce recycling errors. This new system will photograph blue cart contents, replacing manual checks. If wrong items are found, residents will receive an “Oops” mailout with tips. Developed by Prairie Robotics, the program aims to increase inspections from 2,000 to 10,000 this year.

    CJME

  • July 18, 2021

    Regina-based Prairie Robotics finding success in trash

    Sam Dietrich started in waste management during high school, later co-founding Prairie Robotics with Stevan Mikha in 2017. After winning a challenge from Innovation Saskatchewan, the company now has six employees and works with municipalities across Western Canada to identify contamination in recycling streams, enabling targeted education to improve recycling practices.

    Lynn Giesbrecht

    LeaderPost

  • July 15, 2021

    Prairie Robotics secures $690,000 to identify recycling contaminants

    Regina's Prairie Robotics raised $690,000 CAD in seed funding led by Conexus Venture Capital for its IoT recycling solution, which helps municipalities identify recycling contaminants. Founded in 2017, the startup aims to expand its team and services across Canada and the U.S., offering investors a 45% tax credit through Saskatchewan's tech incentives.

    Josh Scott

    Betakit

  • February 11, 2020

    Saskatchewan using artificial intelligence to track waste

    Innovation Saskatchewan plans to launch robotic technology to reduce landfill waste, aiming for a 30% cut by 2030. Prairie Robotics developed a Smart Camera system for real-time waste tracking. Saskatchewan residents generate an average of 842 kg of waste per year, the second highest in Canada.

    Jonathan Guignard

    Global News

  • April 19, 2019

    Researchers developing Smart Cameras to estimate amount of waste entering Sask. landfills

    Prairie Robotics in Regina is creating Smart Camera platform to estimate the weight and type of waste at Saskatchewan landfills. Selected for the Innovation Challenge, they received $10,000 and a 16-week residency for collaboration with the government. This technology aims to improve waste management, particularly in rural areas.

    Kelly Provost

    CBC News

We're always happy to share our story! For media inquiries, please contact us at

press@prairierobotics.com