How robots could help solve the US recycling problem

New technology made to streamline the process may help the U.S. make strides in eliminating the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills.

This is the first episode of ABC News Digital's four-part series "Green New Future," which highlights innovators and environmental solutions.

Recycling on a large scale has always proved to be a challenging endeavor, especially as the production of plastic surged exponentially after the 1970s.

But new technology made to streamline the process may help the U.S. make strides in eliminating the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills.

Nearly 300 million tons of waste is produced in the U.S. every year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Only a fourth of that solid trash is recycled.