EarthSort

How it works

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1. Snap a photo

Take a picture of any item you're unsure about.

EarthSort app home screen in San Francisco

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2. Get an instant answer

Our AI identifies the material and gives you the right bin for your exact city.

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3. Recycle with confidence

Know you got it right, and help your community recycle better.

EarthSort feedback confirmation for a coffee cup scan

Key features

EarthSort identifying a wine goblet and showing landfill guidance for SF Recology

Works on anything

Snap a photo and EarthSort identifies the item, including unlabeled containers and fragments that confuse people most.

Same item. Different city. Different answer.

San Francisco: Recycle for a PETE plastic clamshell via SF Recology — San Francisco · SF Recology

Portland: Trash for the same PETE plastic clamshell via PDX Bureau of Planning and Sustainability — Portland · PDX Bureau

The right rules, wherever you are

Home, work, or traveling, EarthSort uses where you are right now to give the rules that actually apply there, down to your local provider. No generic national advice, and nothing locked to a single saved address.

Built for your language

Live in English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese, with more on the way, so everyone in the community gets the same clear guidance.

EarthSort Learn More section showing Portland drop-off recycling guidance for a plastic clamshell

Includes local instructions

When your provider has them, Learn More explains why an item goes where it goes, including drop-off and special handling.

For cities and partners

EarthSort helps residents follow your rules and gives your team a clearer view of what's causing contamination, without changing a single rule or adding staff burden.

See how we work with cities and PROs

Your privacy, in plain language

When you snap a photo, EarthSort uses it to identify the item and give you the right disposal answer.

We do not sell your data.
Your name and email are optional. You can use the app without sharing them. If you add an email, we can keep you updated on app updates and recycling tips—not marketing lists.
The app assigns an anonymous ID on your device so we can store photos securely and improve accuracy. Photos are linked to that ID, not to your name unless you choose to provide one.
We use photos only to provide guidance and improve the app.

Read our full privacy policy here.

Know how to recycle whatever you're holding.