Software developer Robyn Bennett has built an AI-powered “litter dash camera” to document roadside rubbish, after becoming concerned about the amount of trash being dumped across Shropshire. The technology has recorded more than 3,000 litter reports in the county and more than 28,000 across the UK.
Tracking roadside litter
Bennett, who is from Shrewsbury and runs a software company in Telford, developed the app after noticing an increase in the amount of litter collected while driving around the county.
Bennett said the amount of rubbish on local roads was “really disturbing” and wanted to find out whether the problem was unique to Shropshire or part of a wider national issue.
After contacting anti-litter campaign group Clean Up Britain to ask how help could be provided, Bennett developed what is described as a “litter dash camera” that records rubbish identified from cars.
“My software company has developed an app that is essentially a trash dash camera,” Bennett said.
“The app records the trash it finds.”
Data shared with campaigners
Bennett is sharing the data with Clean Up Britain in the hope that it will spur action. Shropshire Council is also looking at ways to improve litter management on some of the county’s busiest roads.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk