Harald is an internationally renowned circular economist. He is advising the United Nations in several countries and and is working with top companies on their road towards circularity. Harald has co-iniatied the global yearly “Circularity Gap Report”, one of the most referenced publications in the field of circular economy. Harald has extensive consulting experience as CEO of the the do-tank Circle Economy in Amsterdam. And he spearheaded the circular transition in his home country Austria when he served as Circular Economy Accelerator for the Austrian Government in 2022.
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How to use AI sustainably? (Is that possible?!)🌀
Published 11 months ago • 4 min read
Hello there!
Putting “Artificial Intelligence” and “Circular Economy” in the same sentence can feel a bit like inviting Big Tech to a zero-waste potluck.
In fact, if you're feeling skeptical about the idea that AI, with its massive energy demands and insatiable appetite for data, could actually help build a more sustainable, circular future... you're not alone.
For example, Google’s greenhouse gas emissions rose 48% since 2019, partly due to increased AI compute demands.
Also: AI’s thirst for water, used in cooling data centres, is projected to reach 6.6 billion cubic meters by 2027, raising concerns amid global water scarcity💧
So yes, AI does have a huge environmental footprint:
But you know what ?
It also offers us unprecedented tools to tackle environmental challenges.
I got to understand that even more in my joint work on this with Craig Willmott, a personal source of inspiration and knowledge on this key topic.
While this may sound like it’s impossible to build or work with a truly sustainable AI, we are not at a complete loss.
The key lies in leveraging AI’s strengths to accelerate circular economy practices while mitigating its environmental costs through smarter design and renewable energy use. 🌀
Take, for example, a recent upgrade at a recycling facility in Chicago.
In May 2024, LRS installed an AI-powered robotic system developed and designed by EverestLabs to capture more aluminum beverage cans, those that often slip through traditional sorting lines and end up in landfills.
This robot, developed by the tech company EverestLabs, uses machine learning and real-time visual recognition to pick out valuable materials that human sorters or older machines might miss. 👁
AI-powered robotic arm sorting aluminium cans at a Chicago recycling facility Source: EverstLabs.com
Why does this matter?
👉🏾 Because this robot is sorting faster than any human ever could and it’s recovering around 12 million cans per month, that would have otherwise been lost.
That’s roughly 4.2 million pounds of aluminium saved each year, all thanks to one smart robot doing what humans can’t: spotting and grabbing specific materials in the blink of an eye
That is a step forward! 🤯
This is backed by beverage packaging giants like Ardagh and Crown Holdings, not for PR points, but because it makes business sense💡
.
AI empowers circular economy operations through intelligent inventory management, predictive maintenance, and data driven business models that extend product life cycles and reduce waste. Source: Sciforce
AI’s potential to transform the circular economy is gaining momentum globally.
Experts emphasise that AI can digitise waste streams, unlock real-time data on material flows, and revolutionise recycling and recovery processes, making more circularity possible.
This shift is critical given that over 2 billion tonnes of waste are generated annually worldwide, yet much of it remains invisible and unmanaged.
However, the integration of AI into sustainability efforts is not without risks.
Research highlights systemic challenges such as algorithmic bias, unequal access to AI technologies, cascading failures, and trade-offs between efficiency and resilience, especially in sectors like agriculture where AI adoption is rapidly growing.
These risks underscore the need for responsible AI frameworks that incorporate environmental sustainability alongside social considerations.
To navigate these complexities, several tools and frameworks have emerged to help organisations assess and improve AI’s sustainability footprint. Some noteworthy resources include:
This kind of intelligent resource management aligns perfectly with circular economy principles, turning surplus into opportunity.
I know, that's just a beginning.
BUT: to my mind AI can be an entry point to actually integrating sustainability into your life.
Look around your own life or work and ask:
1️⃣ 👉🏼 Where and how can AI-powered tools help me reduce waste, save resources, or make smarter choices?
2️⃣👉🏾 When is it not at all useful to use AI tools, given their intense resource requirement?
3️⃣ Maybe it’s using an app to track your energy use, supporting companies investing in AI-driven recycling, or simply staying curious and informed.
4️⃣ Can I use the resources mentioned here - or do I know others that's worthwhile sharing.
Every little step counts.
🙌🏾
Circularity and AI are two of the big topics I’m diving into in my upcoming book.
It’s time we have honest, transparent conversations about these contemporary issues: bringing intelligence, insight, and real-world solutions to the table.
I can’t wait to share more with you as the book takes shape.
Until then, let’s keep pushing for a smarter, more circular future.
Stay curious. Stay circular.🌀
If you wanna hear me speaking, this is where I will be:
Whenever you are ready, here are 5 ways I can help you:
The Circular Advantage: A 5-day FREE email course on 5 proven circular strategies to stay compliant with the latest sustainability regulations, build a stronger partner network, and improve your public image (without disrupting your supply chain).
Inspire Your Audience: From TED to Zero Waste Conferences, I've been invited as a keynote speaker to talk about circular economy, leadership, and innovation. Book me to start making an impact.
Get inspired: My TEDxTirana talk on how we can hack a broken system while building a better one.
Go deeper with my book: "The Customer is the Planet: A handbook for sustainable business" which I co-authored in 2024.
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Harald FRIEDL
Circular Economist
Harald is an internationally renowned circular economist. He is advising the United Nations in several countries and and is working with top companies on their road towards circularity. Harald has co-iniatied the global yearly “Circularity Gap Report”, one of the most referenced publications in the field of circular economy. Harald has extensive consulting experience as CEO of the the do-tank Circle Economy in Amsterdam. And he spearheaded the circular transition in his home country Austria when he served as Circular Economy Accelerator for the Austrian Government in 2022.
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