As localities continue to grapple with the challenges and costs of traditional recycling, Portsmouth, Virginia is testing a new path forward—pairing artificial intelligence with biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More production to tackle waste more efficiently and sustainably.

At the city’s Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is the everyday trash or garbage produced by households and businesses. It includes a variety of materials, such as food scraps, paper, plastics, and yard waste.  MSW forms a potential feedstock category for biochar production provided that it should be free More Transfer Facility, a pilot program launched by AMP Robotics Corp. and Recycling and Disposal Solutions of Virginia Inc. is using AI to sort recyclables from bagged trash. The system processes over 100 tons of garbage daily, identifying reusable materials previously destined for landfills.

Around 25% of the waste processed consists of recyclable materials, while a significant portion is organic matter—food scraps and yard waste—that typically produces methane when it decomposes. To address this, AMP is now exploring converting that organic waste into biochar. Unlike compost, biochar is compact, resistant to microbial breakdown, and offers long-term carbon sequestration.

Biochar production presents a space-efficient alternative to composting, which requires extensive land and is often impractical at municipal scale. AMP believes biochar can integrate seamlessly into existing municipal systems, offering multiple uses—from reducing landfill odors to improving agricultural soil and even producing carbon-negative concrete.

Currently producing biochar in Colorado, AMP plans to bring production to the Portsmouth facility. The company sees this as a cost-effective and environmentally beneficial complement to AI-powered sorting, with potential to scale across Hampton Roads and beyond.