AI Engineering & Automation

Waste recognition AI supported by governed visual data workflows

A productised creative operations model for high-volume visual content across multiple industries. Powered by SBL's governed delivery platform, governing intake, enhancement, retouching, quality control, workflow management and multi-channel delivery end-to-end.

This case study shows how SBL turns operational complexity into a governed digital operating model where workflow, data, quality and decisions can be managed together.

The institutional challenge

  • Mixed waste visibility: Distinguishing between plastic, bio, and metal in cluttered environments.
  • Manual effort costs: High local labor rates made large-scale manual labeling financially impossible.
  • No off-the-shelf solution: Unique urban environments required a custom-built taxonomy for accuracy.

What SBL engineered

  • Designed governed AI data workflows with quality checks, validation logic and model-readiness built into delivery.
  • Combined automation with expert review so outputs could support training, analytics and production decision systems.
  • Created a reusable delivery model that can scale across larger AI and automation programs.
  • Consult & Align: Defining custom waste taxonomies (plastic, bio, metal, etc.).
  • Workflow Setup: Rapid PoC setup to validate real-time annotation requirements.

How the work should be understood

SBL's role is not limited to executing a task. The value comes from understanding the operating workflow, engineering the data and automation layer, applying governance controls, and helping the institution move from manual dependency to intelligent, measurable operations.

Evidence

Proof points from the programme.

The source case study highlights measurable delivery, quality or operating improvements. These are presented as evidence of SBL's ability to build governed systems at institutional scale.

Proof point5,000+ Images annotated weekly with custom classification models
Proof point60% Operational efficiency achieved compared to local European providers
Proof point91% Accuracy reached for complex waste object detection
Proof pointSmart City. 1 managed platform. ESG-driven data.
Outcomes

What changed for the institution.

The work moved the organization closer to an AI-ready operating model with stronger control, cleaner data and better decisions.

01

Production-grade AI inputs

The operating model supports governed AI development with repeatable quality and human oversight.

02

Human-in-the-loop governance

The operating model supports governed AI development with repeatable quality and human oversight.

03

Repeatable automation model

The operating model supports governed AI development with repeatable quality and human oversight.

04

91% Accuracy reached for complex waste object detection

The operating model supports governed AI development with repeatable quality and human oversight.

05

02 Manual effort costs: High local labor rates made large-scale manual labeling financially impossible.

The operating model supports governed AI development with repeatable quality and human oversight.

Related proof

More case studies in SBL's transformation portfolio.

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Retail computer vision models trained with governed annotation workflows

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Autonomous mobility AI trained with LiDAR annotation workflows

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Bring SBL the workflow that needs to change.

When the data is scattered, the controls matter and the outcome must scale, SBL can design, engineer, govern and operate the transformation.