A STROUD research partnership is using artificial intelligence to tackle the growing problem of roadside litter — and is inviting the public to see its findings in action this summer.
The Fast-Litter project, a collaboration between the University of Gloucestershire, Stroud District Council and Litter Free Stroud, has developed an AI-powered app that lets litter-pickers photograph discarded items to log locations and identify food brands responsible for packaging waste.
The team will showcase the project at a free exhibition at the Sub Rooms in Stroud on Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12, 10am to 4pm.
Backed by £30,000 in funding, the project targets 'fast-litter' — takeaway packaging thrown from vehicles into verges and hedgerows. Items recorded include vapes, coffee cups, water bottles and fast-food packaging.
Eric Torrington from Litter Free Stroud said he had picked up an estimated 700,000 items since 2018. The project aims to turn that anecdotal effort into hard, usable data to shape local and national policy.
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