​Compology expands contamination ID capabilities

Compology has improved its container content and contamination identification capabilities to include an expanded list of identifiable items ranging across garbage bags, tanglers (garden hoses, holiday lights, packing straps, etc.), styrofoam, propane tanks, bulky items (pallets, furniture, tires, etc.), e-waste, wood scraps, uncollapsed cardboard, metals, people and more.

"We were overwhelmed by the positive response to and rapid adoption of our Contamination Score AI technology that allows us to identify specific contaminants in recycling, waste and organics streams," says Compology CEO, Jason Gates, "Our customers have already been able to drastically reduce contamination and increase revenue from their recycling operations as a result, so we've continued to invest in cutting edge technology to greatly expand our content identification capabilities to a list of high-priority contaminants that will continuously grow as we learn the specific needs of future customers." 

Compology's artificial intelligence contamination identification technology, CScoreTM, not only automatically identifies various contaminants, but also provides a standardized measure of contamination. CScoreTM empowers haulers to establish profitable recycling and organics services, while helping customers drive towards their zero waste and diversion goals.

Waste Management Area Manager, Jason Rose, confirmed at Waste Expo 2019 that in their first five months working with Compology they've seen "...a 60% reduction in contamination."  

The ability to identify contaminants allows waste haulers to remotely monitor and provide timely, targeted alerts and coaching to generators to remove contaminants prior to pick up, or instead, appropriately bill for contaminated hauls. Remote contamination monitoring ultimately allows haulers to not only avoid the cost of contamination, but also track generator disposal habits and coach improvement over time.

"The majority of our customers choose to either clean [the contamination] up or have us pick it up and bill them appropriately, that's about 95%. The other 5% have us pick it up as MSW and we bill them appropriately," says Jason Rose, "In the end, it's all about sustainable leadership. We're very focused on using data, technology, and innovation to work closely with our customers to really make recycling sustainable and cost-effective for the long-term."

 For Compology, the ability to be responsive to our customers for new content identification requests is paramount," says Chief Product Officer, Ben Chehebar, "We want to accelerate our customers' ability to operate efficiently and cost-effectively, while educating their own customers on proper disposal habits."