20° SIMPOSIO INTERNAZIONALE SU GESTIONE DEI RIFIUTI
RECUPERO DI RISORSE E DISCARICA SOSTENIBILE / 13-17 OTTOBRE 2025

Focus Session I - AI in Waste Management: curse or blessing?

FOCUS SESSION I / 14 October 2025 / 15:30 - 17:00
AI in Waste Management: curse or blessing?

Moderator: Hua Zhang, Tongji University (CN)

Panelists:
Rainer Stegmann, Hamburg University of Technology (DE)
Dezhen Chen, Tongji University (CN)
Giuseppe Bonifazi, Sapienza University of Rome (IT)
Shivank Rai, Amazon (US)
Mr. AI Robot

Artificial Intelligence holds transformative potential across various sectors, and waste management is no exception. By leveraging machine learning, computer vision, and data analytics, AI can optimize operations, enhance recycling efficiency, and reduce environmental impact. However, its successful implementation depends on key pre-conditions: robust data infrastructure, stakeholder collaboration, and regulatory support. While AI offers promising solutions—from smart collection routes to automated sorting and pollution monitoring—it also faces limits, including high initial costs, algorithmic biases, and technical scalability.

The focus session titled "AI in Waste Management: Curse or Blessing?" is set to critically examine the dual-edged nature of artificial intelligence in tackling the world's growing waste crisis. Moderated by Hua Zhang from China and Rainer Stegmann from Germany, the session aims to move beyond simplistic narratives and delve into the practical applications, promises, and pitfalls of this transformative technology.
The discussion will be structured around a clear agenda, beginning with a foundational introduction to AI by Rainer Stegmann. This will set the stage for a deeper dive into several key areas where AI is making inroads:

  • Waste Collection (Hua Zhang, Panel, AI): The part will explore how AI is being used to optimize waste collection, promising increased efficiency and reduced operational costs.
  • Waste Separation (Giuseppe Bonifazi, Panel, AI): Experts will discuss the role of AI-powered systems, such as smart robots and computer vision, in improving the accuracy and speed of sorting recyclable materials and hazardous components.
  • Thermal Treatment (Dezhen Chen, Panel, AI): A key segment will focus on the application of AI in waste-to-energy plants, examining its potential to enhance the efficiency and environmental performance of thermal processes.
  • Waste Minimization (Shivank Rai, Panel, AI): The panel will investigate how AI can help reduce waste at its source, particularly within the retail and commerce sectors, by optimizing supply chains and consumer forecasting.


Each topic will be presented by a panelist, followed by a discussion that incorporates perspectives generated by AI. This approach is designed to create a dynamic dialogue between human expertise and machine-generated insights, offering a multifaceted view on each issue.
The central question of whether AI is a "curse or a blessing" looms over the discourse. Proponents highlight its potential for creating a smarter, more circular economy, while skeptics raise concerns about cost, implementation, and socio-economic impacts. This session promises to unpack these complexities, providing attendees with a comprehensive and balanced understanding of how AI is reshaping the future of waste management.


Hua Zhang is a professor of College of Environmental Science and Engineering at Tongji University. She got her PhD degree in Environmental Engineering from Tongji University and worked as Post-doc for one year in North Carolina State University, United States. Her research mainly focuses on intelligent identification, thermal treatment and beneficial utilization of solid waste. As a PI, she has been responsible for several R&D projects supported by central government. She has published more than 200 papers in peer reviewed journals such as "Environmental Science & Technology", "Water Research" and "Journal of Hazardous Materials", etc. She is an associate editor of "Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association", managing editor of "Waste Management" and guest editor of its special issue "Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning in Waste Management", and member of Youth editorial board for "Carbon Research" and "Biochar".