KEY BENEFITS

From 40 hours to just 1: faster, more accurate customer's waste audits

97% faster audits, without the mess

By processing a simple photo, Sorted’s algorithm automatically identifies and categorises items, reducing audit time by 39 hours. Plus, no more lengthy and messy audit requiring the team to go through all the waste manually.

Increased accuracy

Sorted’s Computer Vision algorithm is more precise and reliable than manual item categorisation, as it consistently follows the same process and applies strict image controls to ensure greater accuracy over time.

Improved audit quality and processes

Thanks to Sorted’s detailed reports, Bywaters can now track their customers’ recycling rates over time and gain more granular and consistent insights to drive improvements.

ABOUT

Meet Bywaters

Bywaters is one of London’s leading sustainable waste management company, with services extending across the whole of the UK. They provide safe, secure and efficient waste and recycling solutions, helping various industries to better manage their waste.

As well as sending zero waste to landfill, they work closely with every client to increase their recycling rates and hit their sustainability targets.

We sat down with Rory Capper, Head of Sustainability and Innovation at Bywaters, to learn how our computer vision algorithm helps them save hours when conducting waste audits for their customers.

Working with Sorted has been very easy. I would completely recommend partnering with them. They are transparent, flexible and committed to helping you get the most out of their technology, whether it’s applied at the MRF level or directly with your customers. They take the time to understand your operations and suggest the best solution to meet your needs.

Rory Capper

Head of Sustainability and Innovation, Bywaters

THE CHALLENGES

Enabling net zero objectives without the burden of manual waste audits

We are committed to achieving net zero and helping our customers do the same. As part of our offering, we carry out samplings to provide our customers with insights into how they dispose of their waste.

However, this process was entirely manual, making it time-intensive, inconsistent, and increasingly unsustainable as we scaled. To maintain the quality of insights without overextending our resources, we needed to streamline and innovate.

THE SOLUTION

We needed something simple that worked around us

We wanted a solution that we could easily implement and see results from day one. We explored other AI-based solutions, but some of them came with a few operational constraints, forcing us to completely change our process or even install additional equipment at our facilities or customers’ sites.

Sorted was the only provider that worked alongside us to tailor the right solution for us. Now, our team simply captures photos of bins at customer sites and shares them with Sorted. Their AI-powered vision system analyses the composition of each bin, enabling us to deliver detailed, accurate waste reports to our clients. To ensure reliability, Sorted also performs quality control on the images before returning the analysis, guaranteeing the performance of the solution.

Example of a waste audit by Sorted

THE IMPLEMENTATION

A straightforward process

It was very straightforward and didn't disrupt our operations at all. We conducted a few initial tests on customers' waste, and the Sorted team trained their AI vision system until we were both confident in the accuracy of the results, which didn’t take long.

Whenever we had questions, they were quick to respond and always eager to support. Thanks to our close collaboration, they even suggested valuable improvements to enhance the overall process.

Previously, a full audit could take up to 40 hours for one building. We would break the bin bags and manually categorise each item. Now, each audit takes just 15 minutes, so we can complete an average building with four clients in about 1 hour, a remarkable 97% time saving!

Rory Capper

Head of Sustainability and Innovation, Bywaters

THE BENEFITS

By using Sorted, we cut down waste audit time by up to 39 hours per customer building

The biggest benefit has been the time saved, translating directly into cost savings. Previously, a full audit could take up to 40 hours for one building. We would break the bin bags and manually categorise each item.

Now, we simply spread the content of each bag on a flat surface, take a photo and let Sorted’s system handle the analysis and send us a report with insights. Each audit takes just 15 minutes, so we can complete an average building with four clients in about 1 hour, a remarkable 97% time saving!

This frees up significant, valuable time for our team to focus on what truly matters: helping our customers reduce their waste.

We explored other AI-based solutions, but some of them came with a few operational constraints, forcing us to completely change our process or even install additional equipment at our facilities or customers’ sites. Sorted was the only provider that worked alongside us to tailor the right solution for us.

Rory Capper

Head of Sustainability and Innovation, Bywaters

WHY SORTED

We chose Sorted for the simplicity of their solution

We are always looking to support local businesses who are providing solutions, so when we saw what Sorted were doing in this space, we knew we wanted to work with them. They are easy to work with, have deep industry expertise and we trust their people and technology to deliver reliable, accurate analyses.

They also understand the challenges CapEx investments can pose and have thoughtfully designed a pay-as-you-go pricing model that removes the upfront financial risk. This allowed us to trial their solution without being tied into long-term or expensive contracts. Now that we’re seeing strong results, we have no reason to look elsewhere.

CUSTOMER VERDICT

I highly recommend Sorted

Working with Sorted has been very easy. I would completely recommend partnering with them. They are transparent, flexible and committed to helping you get the most out of their technology, whether it’s applied at the MRF level or directly with your customers. They take the time to understand your operations and suggest the best solution to meet your needs. We explored other AI-based solutions, but some of them came with a few operational constraints, forcing us to completely change our process or even install additional equipment at our facilities or customers’ sites. Sorted was the only provider that worked alongside us to tailor the right solution for us.

our Solution

Meet the AI-powered recycling technology that increases your pickers' performance.

Discover how Sorted empowers pickers to efficiently extract recyclables while providing managers with real-time data and valuable insights.

Learn more about our solution

OUR CUSTOMER STORIES

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