Clear Drop, a company at CES, has created a machine called the Soft Plastic Compactor (CPC) that can turn hundreds of soft plastics like plastic bags and bubble wrap into solid bricks. This compactor is a pre-recycler that uses heat and compression to transform the plastic into bricks that are easier to transport than traditional trash.
The CPC works with 95% of common soft plastics, including ziplocks and package wrap, but excludes items like ping pong balls, IV bags, and camera film due to safety concerns. It's essentially a brick-making machine for household use, which can eventually be shipped to recycling facilities that accept the bricks.
One issue with this system is that it requires shipping the bricks somewhere, which feels counterproductive from an eco-friendly standpoint. However, the company plans to work with multiple US-based recycling facilities and conduct audits to ensure the bricks are being recycled properly.
The CPC itself isn't cheap - the price is split over two years, amounting to $1,400 - but it's a step in the right direction for addressing the problem of soft plastics piling up at home. The machine has been praised as the most effective household solution for dealing with plastic bags and other waste.
The CPC works with 95% of common soft plastics, including ziplocks and package wrap, but excludes items like ping pong balls, IV bags, and camera film due to safety concerns. It's essentially a brick-making machine for household use, which can eventually be shipped to recycling facilities that accept the bricks.
One issue with this system is that it requires shipping the bricks somewhere, which feels counterproductive from an eco-friendly standpoint. However, the company plans to work with multiple US-based recycling facilities and conduct audits to ensure the bricks are being recycled properly.
The CPC itself isn't cheap - the price is split over two years, amounting to $1,400 - but it's a step in the right direction for addressing the problem of soft plastics piling up at home. The machine has been praised as the most effective household solution for dealing with plastic bags and other waste.
... like who wouldn't want to turn their plastic bag collection into a solid brick, right? 
But seriously, the fact that it can handle 95% of common soft plastics is mind-blowing. The whole shipping-it-to-a-recycling-facility thing is a valid concern though - I mean, isn't the point of reducing waste supposed to make things more convenient and less complicated in the long run? Still, if this thing works out like they say it will, it's definitely worth considering for anyone who's sick of dealing with plastic bags and bubble wrap. And $1,400 over two years is actually kinda reasonable if you think about how much money we'd be saving on trash collection and storage costs...
But at the same time, shipping these bricks all over the country seems like it's just gonna create more of a problem in the long run 
. I mean, don't get me wrong, $1,400 might seem like a lot upfront, but think about all the energy and resources that'll be used to transport those bricks and whatnot... 
Anyways, gotta give Clear Drop credit for trying though 
!
I'm all about trying to reduce our impact on the environment, and this Soft Plastic Compactor (CPC) is like a game-changer! I mean, think about it - we're basically producing bricks out of trash that can be reused or recycled... that's some serious innovation 
. The fact that it works with 95% of common soft plastics is huge too - it's not just plastic bags and bubble wrap anymore! 
Still, at least they're acknowledging that problem and working on solutions... like partnering with recycling facilities and doing audits to make sure everything is being done right.
. And who knows? Maybe this thing will inspire us to think differently about our waste and find more creative solutions... 
I mean, sure, it's not perfect - having to ship the bricks somewhere might seem counterintuitive, but at least it gets them out of circulation and into a facility where they can actually be recycled properly. 
And $1,400 over two years isn't too shabby either 
! It's like, we can't just keep producing and discarding plastics without thinking about the consequences 
. This machine is like a superhero for our planet 
. I mean, it's not perfect - shipping those bricks to recycling facilities might seem counterintuitive 
, but think of all the plastic waste we're saving! That's priceless 
. I'm excited to see where this tech goes from here 
. Of course, the $1,400 price tag over two years might be a barrier for some, but I believe this investment will pay off in the long run as we transition towards more sustainable practices 
Another eco-friendly innovation that's gonna raise some red flags... think about it, this thing is just gonna make more bricks of useless plastic 
. I mean, yeah, it's a step in the right direction, but is this really the solution to our plastic woes? 
. $1,400 might be pricey, but think of the impact it could have on our planet. It's not a silver bullet, but it's a step in the right direction 