Can a Home Appliance Fix the Problem of Soft-Plastic Waste?

"The SPC could easily be mistaken for a trash can. It works much like a paper shredder, but seeing it in action is almost hypnotic, ASMR-adjacent."

"When the device sensors indicate it's full, the SPC will compact up to 3 pounds of material and fuse it into a block about the size of a shoebox."

"While soft-plastics collection services exist, there are no other devices like the SPC that preprocess waste in a user's home."

"The SPC requires a $799 down payment, plus a $49 monthly subscription, which may deter average consumers from adopting this technology."

Clear Drop's Soft Plastic Compactor (SPC) is a stainless steel device designed to recycle soft plastics like bubble wrap and freezer bags. It compacts up to 3 pounds of material into a shoebox-sized block for recycling. While it provides an entertaining and efficient way to reduce household waste, its high cost and subscription model may limit its appeal to average consumers. The SPC is unique in preprocessing waste at home, unlike existing collection services, but practicality remains a concern after testing.

Read at WIRED