SAP and Topolytics launch COP26 Waste Insights Project, which will showcase how artificial intelligence (AI) helps in identifying opportunities to design effective zero waste management systems and accelerate the transition to a circular economy. The research project will unify and analyse data from consumer goods, retailers, waste managers, investors, non-profit organisations (NGOs) and local government. Co-innovation partners who will participate include BrewDog, Coca-Cola European Partners, and DS Smith.
COP26 Waste Insights Project supports SAP’s vision for a plastic-free ocean by 2030. It will leverage Scotland’s Waste and Resources Map to provide insights to help define strategic priorities in building national recycling infrastructures where it’s needed the most. The research aims to provide vital information to co-innovation partners so they can drive greater waste materials recovery, enable resource efficiencies, and determine cost-savings strategies for zero waste management.
Ultimately, the project envisions to contribute to reducing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by engaging governments, investors, waste managers, consumer industries, as well as start-up companies in building much-needed national recycling infrastructures.
Topolytics CEO Michael Groves said,
“Our ambition is to make the world’s waste visible, verifiable and valuable. This starts with really understanding what is happening in the waste system – which is complex and opaque. Our work with SAP and its customers is generating insights into the many pathways and outcomes for their production and post-consumer waste. This drives resource and cost efficiencies, enhances their reporting and can support their circular economy goals.”
Leveraging AI for Zero Waste Management
Strategic advisor, speaker, and commentator on sustainable business Mike Barry has been appointed as the waste insight project’s advisor. Barry is also the director at Mikebarryeco Limited, a sustainable business consulting company based in the UK. He said,
“It’s imperative that we build a circular economy for the trillions of items we consume globally each year. This will not happen by chance. We need deep insight into where and how resources can be recovered across literally millions of touchpoints in homes, high streets, cafes, factories and warehouses. This exciting SAP initiated project will help policy makers, innovators, corporations, designers, the resource sector and investors make a circular future a scale reality.”
According to SAP, COP26 Waste Insights Project has already delivered its first prototype to generate a ‘WasteMap®’ using data on industrial, commercial and post-consumer waste from co-innovation partners BrewDog, Coca-Cola European Partners and DS Smith. The ‘WasteMap®’ demonstrates producer responsibility and enhances environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) reporting on resources, materials and waste. The final prototype will be launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in 2021.
Stephen Jamieson, Head of Sustainable Business Innovation, SAP EMEA North explains the value of the zero waste management research project:
“Ninety-one per cent of material resources are lost into landfill or leaked into the environment after consumption. We see a real opportunity to bring together the biggest global brands across a variety of industries using insights and data intelligence to understand the impact of materials throughout their lifecycle and create a more sustainable future. We want to use this opportunity to demonstrate how innovative technologies can help bring together business, government and NGOs to tackle climate change and turn waste into a valuable resource, to support recovery rates and provide access to new revenue streams.”
