The Fire Rover fire prevention system is controlled remotely from Michigan. Photo by Frank Lopez

On Monday Caglia Environmental invited media for a facility tour in Fresno to get a firsthand look at the technology the waste and recycling company is using to reduce plastics in landfills.

Caglia has invested millions into its Cedar Avenue Recycling and Transfer Station (CARTS) in artificial intelligence and robotics technology to create a system with the maximum environmental benefit, meet recycling goals, and make a cleaner planet for all, according to company officials.

Currently, CARTS is processing about 320 tons of recycling a day, which comes from Fresno, Fresno County, Clovis, Merced County and Kern County.

Along with other Caglia team members,  CARTS Division Manager Mike Ledieff led media through the facility,  showing off the new technologies the plant has implemented in the last 18 months.

That includes a two-armed robot that sorts through natural and color high-density polyethylene — one of the most used plastics that is challenging to recover due to the variety of shapes and sizes it comes in.

There was also a presentation of the plant’s Fire Rover fire prevention system, which is monitored and controlled from Michigan and is able to immediately detect and extinguish fires on the premises.

“Recycling is a really challenging industry, and we have developed relationships with our partners throughout the country to implement the latest technology and innovation in order to divert as much material as possible from the landfill,” Ledieff said.