Copyright Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
CHESAPEAKE — The regional authority that handles South Hampton Roads cities’ waste disposal will offer a contract to a provider that plans to use artificial intelligence to help improve recycling efforts for member cities, repurpose waste and prolong the life of the regional landfill. The Southeastern Public Service Authority board met in a special meeting Monday in Chesapeake and unanimously voted to approve a finalized contract with Commonwealth Sortation LLC. The company is a subsidiary of AMP Robotics — a Colorado-based alternative waste disposal provider that uses artificial intelligence and robotics to extract mixed recyclables and organic material from municipal solid waste. The contract has been in the works since the beginning of this year after a year of reviewing bids from alternative waste disposal services because of the closure of the WIN Waste plant, formerly known as the Wheelabrator facility, which burned 80% of the region’s trash for decades. The former plant also converted waste into steam energy for the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Then, 30% of the ash left over was diverted to the landfill. The plant’s closure resulted in added pressure at the regional landfill, prompting a need for alternative waste disposal that’s also more environmentally sustainable. But with the new contract, SPSA officials say the partnership will divert more of SPSA’s waste from the landfill and extend the landfill’s capacity through 2095 instead of 2060, when it’s currently expected to reach capacity. SPSA handles hundreds of thousands of tons of waste for Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach, in addition to surrounding localities such as Franklin and Southampton and Isle of Wight counties. Over the last couple months, the city councils of participating cities have signed off on extended agreements with SPSA for 25 years instead of 10 years, spanning to June 30, 2052. The AI technology used by AMP Robotics removes and sorts recyclables from mixed waste streams and repurposes organic waste to produce biochar, a charcoal-like material that can be sold and used in concrete, for example, for roads and other infrastructure. AMP Robotics is already set up in Portsmouth to process waste at a facility owned by Recycling and Disposal Solutions of Virginia and hiring is underway, according to AMP CEO Tim Stuart. Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com
