Waste & Recycling Robotics & Automation

The waste and recycling industry is under increasing pressure to manage diverse material streams, recover valuable resources, minimise equipment damage and, above all, protect workers.

We deliver robust, intelligent automation solutions designed to improve efficiency, safety and uptime — even in unpredictable environments with continuous operation and abrasive materials. We address the toughest operational issues to ensure consistent performance.

Solutions engineered for waste and recycling

We have deep experience designing practical, forward-thinking automation solutions that make waste and recycling operations safer, more efficient and more sustainable. By combining advanced recycling automation, machine vision systems and robust engineering, we help facilities tackle everyday challenges — even in the most demanding conditions.

Waste conveyor inspection systems to prevent damage and downtime

Our inspection systems integrate high-resolution cameras, multi-spectral imaging, metal detection and other tailored sensors to identify hazardous or non-conforming items — such as gas bottles, batteries and heavy debris — on waste conveyor lines. Trained on extensive datasets, the system detects a wide range of materials in real-time, protecting downstream equipment and improving operator safety in high-risk environments.

Extend equipment life with automated hardfacing

Our robotic welding cells significantly extend the life of high-wear components, such as shredder teeth — often doubling or tripling their lifespan compared to manual methods. Consistent, high-quality welds improve wear resistance, reducing the need for frequent part replacement and unscheduled repairs. This leads to substantial cost savings by reducing labour, minimising downtime and extending the lifespan of critical machinery.

Advancing automation in waste sorting and segregation

We partnered with one of Australia’s largest construction waste recyclers to address a significant operational challenge to their Special Purpose Machines: the high cost, risk and disruption of maintaining 30-tonne shredders. These machines endure extreme wear on teeth, blades, spindles and tables — requiring frequent hardfacing to remain operational. Inconsistent weld quality from manual processes reduced wear resistance and further increased the need for repairs.

Interested in solutions waste and recycling? Get in touch and speak with one of our specialists

Our work with BHP

Increase in operational efficiency

10 %

Savings achieved and counting

$ m

Client retention rate

Projects successfully completed

Shredder maintenance, reinvented by recycling robots

We partnered with one of Australia’s largest construction waste recyclers to address a significant operational challenge: the high cost, risk and disruption of maintaining 30-tonne shredders. These machines endure extreme wear on teeth, blades, spindles and tables — requiring frequent hardfacing to remain operational. Inconsistent weld quality from manual processes reduced wear resistance and further increased the need for repairs.

A Proof of Concept validates material handling, sorting accuracy and system performance before full-scale deployment, reducing implementation risk and confirming operational outcomes.

The solution: dual-robot hardfacing automation

We engineered a dual-robot welding cell to automate all hardfacing tasks— both routine and overhaul — with speed and consistency. Two robotic arms operate simultaneously across complex wear surfaces, eliminating the need for manual welding inside the shredder. This breakthrough solution removed a significant safety hazard while improving throughput and weld quality.

Hardfacing transformed: faster, safer, stronger, scalable

The automated system halved the time required for complete shredder maintenance, reducing downtime and enabling high-value assets to be returned to service faster. Removing the need for personnel to enter the shredder eliminated serious safety risks.

FAQs

How do you ensure safety when automating hazardous environments?

Our systems are designed to meet Australian and international safety standards, featuring safeguards such as guarding, emergency stops, light curtains and safety scanners. By automating high-risk tasks, we reduce human exposure and improve overall site safety.

How do your systems support 24/7 operations?

We design for reliability using industrial-grade components, fault-tolerant control systems and easy-access maintenance features. Many solutions incorporate predictive maintenance to help prevent unscheduled downtime and ensure operations run smoothly

How do I make contact with Applied Robotics to start scoping a waste or recycling solution for my business?

Simply complete and submit our contact form. Our solutions team will get in touch to set up a discovery call.