Soft Plastics Recycling: New System Aims to Fix a Broken Process

A 61-pound machine designed to compress soft plastics into manageable “bricks” is now being tested as a potential solution to a growing recycling challenge, but its long-term viability and environmental impact remain uncertain. The Clear Drop Soft Plastic Compactor (SPC) aims to address the issue of “wishful recycling” and the contamination of recycling streams with materials that are challenging or impossible to process.

Soft plastics – including grocery bags, food packaging, and plastic film – frequently jam sorting machines and are often rejected by municipal recycling facilities. While facilities capable of processing these materials do exist, the logistics of collecting and transporting clean, uncontaminated soft plastics have proven problematic. The SPC is intended as a “pre-recycling device,” according to its creator, designed to deliver a more consistent and traceable stream of material to recyclers.

The Verge reported on March 2, 2026, that the machine works by taking in unrecyclable plastic and compressing it into a three-pound brick. Users then mail the brick back to Clear Drop for processing. Currently, all bricks are sent to a facility in Frankfort, Indiana, specializing in polyethylene and polypropylene film recycling. There, the bricks are shredded and re-compressed into composite decking, chairs, and garden edging.

“The full cycle from mailing a block to it entering recycling processing typically takes a few weeks,” Clear Drop founder Arbouzov told The Verge, “depending on shipping time and batching schedules.” Arbouzov expressed a desire to establish regional processing facilities to reduce reliance on the mail-back system, envisioning a future where materials can move in bulk through existing recycling infrastructure.

The system isn’t without its drawbacks. The Verge’s review noted the machine’s clunkiness and the cost of the service. One user, Erica B., shared on the Wholly Shrinker website, “I’ve never been so happy with an online purchase! I had hesitated for some time… It took me having a minor meltdown (over the ballooning soft plastic storage bag on my kitchen bench) to send me straight to the WhollyShrink page.” Although, the volume of plastic produced by even a compact household can quickly exceed the supply of provided mailers, creating a storage challenge for users.

Concerns also exist regarding the environmental impact of plastic recycling itself. A 2023 Greenpeace report highlighted the potential for increased toxicity during the recycling process, with heating plastics potentially releasing harmful chemicals into the air and water. The report also questioned whether recycled plastic truly belongs in a circular economy. Arbouzov has not publicly addressed these concerns.

Wholly Shrinker, a similar product, offers a soft plastic compactor that reduces volume by up to 70%, but does not offer a mail-back service. The company’s website highlights the convenience and space-saving benefits of the device, with customer Rachel stating, “I love my Wholly Shrinker! I bought both of these are practical gifts which were very well received.”

Clear Drop has not announced a timeline for expanding processing capacity or addressing the environmental concerns raised by critics. The company continues to accept pre-orders for the SPC, with the mail-back system remaining the primary method of processing collected plastic.