Adelaide households now have a clever new weapon in the fight against the ever-growing soft plastics problem. The Shrinker!, developed by Wholly Shrink!, offers a simple yet effective solution for dealing with those tricky, scrunchy plastics that often end up in landfill. This innovative device is designed to compress soft plastic waste by up to 70%, making it easier to manage at home and prepare for recycling.
Wholly Shrink! is a company driven by the goal of making soft plastic recycling straightforward and accessible to everyone. The Shrinker! itself is a testament to this mission. It is a compact, hand-operated tool crafted from recycled plastic, embodying a feel-good approach to a significant environmental challenge. The process is simple: capture your soft plastics, compress them using The Shrinker!, and store the significantly reduced volume until you are ready to recycle. This method promises to eliminate overflowing and smelly bags, offering a more convenient way for individuals to contribute to a healthier planet, one scrunch at a time.
The inspiration behind The Shrinker! comes from Brice Lamarque, a sustainability expert with a strong background in the supermarket industry, having worked with major players such as Tesco, Woolworths, and Coles. Witnessing firsthand the shortcomings of the current recycling system, Brice was moved to action when his daughter voiced concerns about a future resembling the animated film “WALL-E”. This prompted him to develop The Shrinker! in his own garage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently, several councils in Australia, including the City of Adelaide, are undertaking pilot programs for kerbside collection of soft plastics. These initiatives, alongside existing drop-off points in metropolitan areas, aim to improve recycling rates and lessen the environmental impact of this pervasive waste. While acknowledging that there is still progress to be made, Wholly Shrink! is committed to establishing a consumer-focused model for plastic recovery, with The Shrinker! poised to encourage widespread changes in household behaviour.
The Shrinker! boasts several practical features. It can compress soft plastics by up to 70% before they are recycled and includes a lockable plunger to keep the materials tightly packed. Importantly, the device itself is made entirely from 100% recycled plastic, much of which comes from soft plastic sources, including materials from TerraCycle.
Priced at $32.72, The Shrinker! is designed to be a practical addition to any household committed to reducing waste. Its compact size, (220mm high with a 113mm diameter), ensures it can fit easily under a sink or in a cupboard, although the company suggests keeping it visible as a reminder to collect soft plastics.
Find out more info about The Shrinker! here.
Find out more about SA’s local soft plastic pick up programs below.
City of Adelaide – https://www.curbyit.com/softplastics/
City of Charles Sturt – https://www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/council/news-and-media/latest-news/2022/soft-plastic-collections-trial
City of Port Adelaide Enfield – https://www.cityofpae.sa.gov.au/services/waste-services/soft-plastics
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