First ZenRobotics AI-powered sorting system operational in California at Zanker Recycling

San Jose-based Zanker Recycling, a U.S. based specialist in construction and demolition (C&D) materials processing systems and recycling, in partnership with Plexus Recycling Technologies, the North American distributor of ZenRobotics, have announced that ZenRobotics' ZRR2 AI Robots are now officially operational at Zanker Recycling's San Jose site.

"The advantage of deploying AI robotics to recycling differentiates Zanker from our competitors," said Michael Gross, Director of Sustainability for Zanker Recycling. 

"Reaching the diversion goals for our multiple judications is extremely important to us, which is why we chose Plexus Recycling Technologies as our partner in reaching these goals."

The ZenRobotics ZRR2 AI operates 20 hours per day with total system production of 150,000 tons per year increasing diversion of recyclables by 20%.

Students from the nearby Boys & Girls Club of Silicon Valley, located in Alviso, participated in the naming of Zanker's four AI robots. The winning entries were Clean-up Carl, Magneto, Snatcher and Thrasher, with the submitting students each receiving a $250 gift certificate.

According to Plexus, in a new twist for recycling systems, Zanker's material feeding is highly automated from the beginning of the process. The front end operates 50% of the time to process inbound material. In the middle of the system are two large dosing bunkers that store up to 100 tons of material. The ZenRobotics Brain controls these along with
all equipment downstream to allow a very smooth-running operation focused on recovery and efficiency.

"This is the most advanced waste material processing facility in the world," said Dane Campbell, the project's System Engineer from T3CHCOMP. "We have combined the very best equipment available, into one fantastic recycling system for Zanker recycling". 

Plexus Recycling Technologies provided key European-built equipment such as the ZenRobotic Recyclers, Komptech Terminator, Ballistor and Fines Drumscreen. In addition, the system's electrical controls are provided by Hertlein Industries, one the most experienced and knowledgeable teams ever used for controlling and integrating waste material processing systems.

"Zanker Recycling's investment into the best-available technology with the Plexus designed system is a testament to the ownership and management's commitment to increasing diversion rates." Marcel Vallen, CEO of Plexus and Komptech Americas says. "We could not have partnered with a better group of people than Zanker to unveil the power of automation with robotics in the waste industry. All of our teams that contributed to this success are incredibly excited."

Denver-based Plexus Recycling Technologies, owned by M-L Environmental, LLC, says the company is changing the face of the environmental solutions industry by combining years of experience with advanced sorting technologies that solve entrenched problems. According to Plexus, as the premier C&D recycling systems provider in North America, globally sourced, high-end and highly efficient solutions are delivered with a customer-centric approach that helps them prepare for the future of recycling. 

San Jose-based Zanker Recycling, owned by Zanker Road Resource Management Ltd., is a privately owned solid waste and recycling company that began operations in 1985 by developing a landfill into a fullservice resource management and composting/recycling facility. In 1998, Zanker Recycling expanded operations by permitting an adjacent landfill site as a construction and demolition debris processing facility.

These two facilities process more than 2,600 tons of mixed debris per day. Currently, Zanker Recycling operates four nationally-recognized, leading C&D recycling and composting facilities. Through its aggressive and innovative
recycling efforts, Zanker Recycling diverts more than 80 percent of waste received from landfill.