Graham Rihn, Founder & CEO, RoadRunner

Graham Rihn, founder and CEO of RoadRunner, sat down with Invest: to discuss the company’s use of AI-equipped containers and analytics to tackle contamination, optimize pickups, and drive measurable sustainability outcomes across industrial and enterprise customers amid a resilient market. “Proprietary AI is the power behind RoadRunner. We turn complexity into streamlined, digitized waste and recycling operations with accurate, actionable insights, empowering clients to take informed and impactful sustainability efforts with measurable results,” Rihn said.

Over the past year, what have been some of the biggest changes that have shaped RoadRunner’s direction?

Given the broader macroeconomic challenges, this has been a difficult year for businesses across the globe. Fortunately, the waste management industry tends to be resilient and relatively recession-proof, which has positioned us well. Overall, we’ve had a strong year. The primary impact we’ve observed stems from the industries we serve, particularly the manufacturing and industrial sectors, which faced considerable uncertainty due to tariffs introduced earlier in the year. While we’ve seen some softness in waste generation volumes from those segments, the overall effect on our operations has been minimal. Ultimately, our clients in these impacted sectors benefit even more from our ability to streamline and control costs for them.

RoadRunner was recognized on the inaugural “CleanAI 60” list for using AI to drive climate impact. What does this say about the company’s progress?

A significant part of our business is driven by artificial intelligence. We design and manufacture rugged cameras that are installed in our containers at customer sites, enabling us to capture valuable data through embedded sensors. Using AI, we transform this data into actionable insights driving more efficient waste management for our customers. 

One of our most impactful capabilities is identifying contamination — a major challenge in the waste and recycling industry which can significantly hamper efficient recycling. Our patented technology also enables stream categorization, detects missed pickups, predicts when containers are nearing overflow, and more. By automating these traditionally manual and labor-intensive processes, we empower our customers to proactively manage their waste systems within sites.

How do you view the broader economic landscape of the region, and what role do you think sustainability-focused businesses can play in shaping its future?

I believe Pittsburgh is on the cusp of a major transformation, with the potential to become the nation’s hub for robotics and artificial intelligence. While there’s still significant work ahead to realize that vision, I can’t recall a more exciting time than 2025. Institutions like Carnegie Mellon University, widely recognized as a global leader in robotics and AI, along with other regional universities, are driving innovation and attracting top talent. A few months ago, I attended the energy summit hosted by Sen. Dave McCormick, and the momentum was palpable. There’s a surge of enthusiasm and investment flowing into the region. However, success ultimately hinges on execution. We must bet on ourselves, follow through, and position Pittsburgh as a world leader in AI.

How are you approaching talent attraction, team development, and building a culture that supports innovation and long-term growth?

While we are now a primarily remote workforce, recruiting from across the entire U.S., Pittsburgh is a great hub to build really hiqh-quality, dedicated teams.. In our early years, all of our hires were local to Pittsburgh, and it’s a huge asset that many folks who joined RoadRunner over a decade ago are still here today, embodying the pride and dedication of the city. That level of tenure and loyalty provides a super-strength for our business.These long-term team members have an unmatched depth of domain knowledge and institutional memory, which forms the rock-solid foundation that our new, talented employees can build upon.

What trends do you find most influential in the waste and sustainability industry right now and how is RoadRunner adapting to stay ahead?

Sustainability is a top priority for leading enterprises, many of which have set ambitious goals to reduce landfill waste and improve environmental reporting. Achieving these objectives is particularly complex in the waste and recycling sector, where data is often fragmented and difficult to manage, let alone capture accurately.

Without AI or advanced data analytics, it’s nearly impossible to execute these initiatives effectively. That’s where we come in. Proprietary AI is the power behind RoadRunner. We turn complexity into streamlined, digitized waste and recycling operations with accurate, actionable insights, empowering clients to take informed and impactful sustainability efforts with measurable results.

What are some of the key challenges you’re seeing in your space today, and where do you see the greatest opportunities for RoadRunner to make an impact?

There are two challenges I see on a recurring basis. The first is contamination, which I believe significantly holds the industry back from advancing our recycling goals in the United States. Leveraging smart technologies to identify and address contamination is, in my view, where the industry should be focusing its efforts.

The second challenge is the complexity of AI. While it’s a popular buzzword, deploying AI solutions can be costly and intricate. For any business in the industry considering an AI initiative, I would advise against rushing into deployment. The technology is evolving rapidly, and with time, organizations will gain a clearer understanding of the right strategy and product to implement. Patience allows for more thoughtful decision-making and ultimately better outcomes. The key advantage of working with RoadRunner is that our proprietary AI has already been in development and operational use for years to manage waste and recycling more effectively for our clients. This means our customers don’t have to concern themselves with the complexity, cost, or learning curve; we deliver the benefits of AI as a managed service.

How does RoadRunner engage with local communities, municipalities, or other partners to promote sustainability and responsible waste management?

First and foremost, we’re not just a waste and recycling company; we’re deeply committed to environmental stewardship. As part of our core values, we actively volunteer to clean up litter and trash from local streets and trails. This isn’t a side initiative; it’s something we do as a business. Every year on RoadRunner Day, our company’s anniversary, we dedicate mandatory volunteer hours to activities that support and protect our local environment. It’s a tradition that reflects who we are and what we stand for. We lead with purpose, and we lead by example.

How do you see the waste management and recycling industry evolving over the next few years, and what goals are you setting for RoadRunner?

What I’m most excited about — and what I view as a significant success — is our continued investment in artificial intelligence and the evolution of our internal AI capabilities. These aren’t short-term projects designed to deliver returns in 2025 or even 2026. Instead, they represent a long-term strategic commitment to positioning RoadRunner as the AI leader within our industry. My focus right now is on staying informed about the broader AI landscape and ensuring that what we’re building is not only relevant but truly impactful for the decade ahead. With time, our strategy will sharpen, and the value of these investments will become increasingly clear.