Sortrace raises $800,000 to bring data-driven waste sorting to municipalities

Sortrace uses camera sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse household waste as it is emptied from bins into collection vehicles. By combining computer vision with bin and route data, Sortrace aims to give municipalities and waste management companies a clearer picture of sorting practices and the effectiveness of their recycling initiatives.

The new capital will help the company respond to increasing demand from municipalities and expand its technology beyond waste collection vehicles to other stages of the waste chain.

Turning waste collection into actionable data

Municipalities in Sweden face growing responsibilities for ensuring that households sort their waste correctly. However, waste management operators often lack the detailed data needed to determine where sorting mistakes occur and whether information campaigns are changing household behaviour.

Sortrace addresses this gap by analysing waste during collection. Its camera-based system converts images captured as bins are emptied into data that can reveal recurring sorting errors and patterns in waste flows.

This information allows municipalities to identify areas where mis-sorting is particularly common and direct their efforts accordingly. Rather than relying exclusively on general awareness campaigns, they can use the findings to develop more targeted interventions, evaluate existing initiatives and identify opportunities to increase recycling and reduce the volume of waste sent for incineration.

“Municipalities face new requirements and are investing heavily in collection and in information to households. But without data, no one knows whether those efforts work. We make mis-sorting visible at every emptying, so municipalities can act where the problems actually are,” says Rahel Surshi, CEO and co-founder of Sortrace.

The company says its analysis is designed to protect privacy, with images stored within the European Union. Sortrace is already working with several municipalities and businesses in the recycling sector.

Investors back a data-driven approach to recycling

Almi Invest led the approximately $800,000 funding round, joined by Antler, Gorilla Capital and several business angels.

For Almi Invest, Sortrace's approach reflects the potential for data to support the transition towards a more circular economy.

“To take steps towards a more circular economy, more decisions need to be based on data rather than assumptions. Sortrace has built a solution that does exactly that, while creating clear value for its customers. That is a combination we strongly believe in,” says Ali Altaie, Investment Manager at Almi Invest.

The investment comes as Sortrace reports growing interest from municipalities seeking more effective ways to monitor household waste sorting and measure the impact of their initiatives.

Expanding beyond waste collection vehicles

Sortrace plans to use the funding to meet rising demand while developing its technology for use further along the waste chain.

“Interest from municipalities is growing fast, and the investment allows us to meet demand. But we are not stopping at waste collection vehicles. The next step is to take the technology further along the waste chain,” says Rahel Surshi.

By providing more detailed information about how household waste is sorted, the company aims to help municipalities and waste operators assess their recycling efforts, identify persistent sorting problems and make better-informed decisions about waste management.

Sortrace's broader objective is to use data to support higher recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste that ends up being incinerated.