News article
Portland’s trailblazing approach to reducing landfill
The National Basketball Association's Portland Trail Blazers and Moda Center have rolled out Intuitive AI’s Oscar Sort, a recycling system that utilises Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Utilised throughout the Moda Center’s concourses, the technology from zero waste platform Intuitive AI helps to divert waste from landfills by guiding fans on making the correct sorting decisions. Using AI, Oscar Sort instantly recognises compostable, recyclable, and reusable items, guiding fans to dispose of them correctly.
For example, if a fan is holding a Rip City Reuse cup and an aluminium can, Oscar will direct the fan to recycle the can and the cup in the designated bin.
Moda Center’s Rip City Reuse programme replaces 500,000 single-use cups annually with reusable cups and is expanding to include all fountain beverage cups ahead of the current 2024-25 season.
“We’re thrilled to be rolling out Oscar Sort technology to Moda Center to help enhance the fan experience while streamlining our sustainability efforts,” said Jackie Ventura, Vice-President, Facility Operations, Portland Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter sport and entertainment district.
“We’re thrilled to be rolling out Oscar Sort technology to Moda Center to help enhance the fan experience while streamlining our sustainability efforts."
“Intuitive AI’s unique technology will help us increase our recycling, composting, and reuse efforts throughout the arena while engaging fans in fun, exciting, and educational AI-powered experiences. We hope this will not only improve our own sustainability efforts, but also drive behavioural change in our fans to make the same efforts outside of the arena.”
Additionally, Oscar Sort helps to provide management with critical data to optimise sustainability and operation. The technology itself utilises energy comparable to a small computer and monitor, while offsetting the CO2 equivalent of 10-20 cars annually.
“Usually sustainability centric solutions are viewed as an expense, but Oscar is flipping the script by helping the top and bottom line,” added Hassan Murad, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of Intuitive AI.
“By reducing operational costs, generating new revenue streams, and offering a platform for sustainable sponsorships, Oscar is transforming how arenas operate. We’ve seen venues use Oscar to enhance the fan experience through limited-time offers, tickets, merchandise, and competitions. We’re excited for what’s to come at Moda Center.”
Image: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons