Clear Drop Tackles the Plastic Bag Overflow
Witnessing Clear Drop in Action at CES
Even for those who strive to minimize the number of plastic bags they bring home—by employing reusable bags or transporting purchases by hand—soft plastics inevitably pile up. Like many, I have amassed a collection, where one flimsy plastic bag contains many more.
Regrettably, options for disposing of these types of soft plastics are limited, as most recycling centers aren't equipped to handle them. The thought of these plastics ending up in waterways or entangled in trees is unsettling. This is why the presentation of the Clear Drop Soft Plastic Compactor (CPC) at CES was a welcome surprise. The device serves as an in-home pre-recycling system that compresses hundreds of plastic bags into a manageable brick, which certain recycling plants can process.
Capable with approximately 95% of soft plastics, including bags, bubble wrap, ziplocks, and package wrapping, Clear Drop ingests and subsequently compresses these materials into an eight by twelve by four-inch block. According to Matt Daly, the head of product at Clear Drop, items like ping pong balls, IV bags, and camera film are unsuitable for processing by this compactor. Simple enough.
Watching the device at CES was intriguing as it consumed plastic bags through a slot on its top. Although its crushing and heating functions were not demonstrated at the exhibition, a company representative assured attendees that the machine emits negligible odors during operation due to rigorous safety tests and emission checks.
Daly explained that an average household might take a month to create one plastic brick, equating to the volume of a 30-gallon trash bag worth of plastic bags. This completed brick can be mailed to Clear Drop's associated facilities using pre-paid USPS envelopes they provide. These facilities are audited to confirm proper recycling of the bricks.
However, the bricks not being eligible for standard curbside recycling was somewhat disappointing. Daly mentioned plans to increase recycling partnerships and eventually incorporate municipal involvement. While exporting the bricks may counteract some environmental benefits, the compactor’s cost is also a consideration. Despite being spread over two years, the total expense is $1,400.
It's encouraging to see proactive steps being taken to mitigate this apparent environmental issue. Although not flawless, this solution might be the most efficient household-level method I've encountered to ensure plastic bags don't further harm marine life.
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