ZeroTrash® Revolution Blog Blog
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From soft plastic to microplastic: what to know
Soft plastic packaging surrounds almost every product we buy — bags, wrappers, film, shipping packaging. But when we throw it away, the story doesn’t end. Most soft plastics are not...
From soft plastic to microplastic: what to know
Soft plastic packaging surrounds almost every product we buy — bags, wrappers, film, shipping packaging. But when we throw it away, the story doesn’t end. Most soft plastics are not accepted in curbside recycling, so they break apart into invisible microplastics that move into air, soil, water — and even into the human body. This guide explains how everyday soft plastics turn into microplastics and how compacting soft plastics at home can reduce this fragmentation and support proper recycling. How soft plastics turn into microplastics Soft plastics can break down due to a combination of UV radiation, abrasion, and weathering. These processes cause the polymer chains in plastics to degrade. UV Radiation Sunlight, particularly ultraviolet (UV) radiation, “can break down the chemical bonds within the plastic”, causing it to become brittle and crack. This process, known as photodegradation, can discolor the plastic and reduce its mechanical strength. What is more interesting is that scientists from the UK and the University of Cape Town in South Africa used complementary studies to show that “plastics of the same composition degrade at different rates depending on the colour”. The findings demonstrate that black, white, and silver colourants protect the plastic from damaging UV radiation, whereas other pigments do not. Abrasion Physical processes like wave action, wind, walking on plastic packaging and contact with rough surfaces “can cause plastic to wear down and break into smaller pieces”. This is especially evident in marine environments. Weathering Weathering encompasses UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, and environmental factors. It accelerates degradation and makes plastics more susceptible to fragmentation. Why is this knowledge important The impact of these small particles is more drastic than could be imagined. Toxic effects on the environment are investigated in soil, marine systems, and air. Compacting soft plastics before disposal helps slow fragmentation into microplastics. When stored as a dense block, plastics are less exposed to physical abrasion, sunlight, and breakdown, buying more time before recycling and protecting the environment. Air pollution Nearly a dozen studies have shown airborne microplastic concentrations around the world, meaning we breathe microplastics every day. “Airborne microplastics” include fibers, films, fragments, foam, granules, and spheres. Soft plastic particles “may even influence cloud formation”, contributing to climate change. Marine system pollution Microplastics enter oceans from wastewater, weathering, fragmentation, and fishing. They act as vectors for pollutants “by adsorbing or releasing contaminants”, which then harm marine organisms through inflammation, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and reproductive decline. Soil pollution Agricultural soils now hold “23 times more microplastics than oceans”. Plastics in soil may contain up to 10,000 chemical additives, often unregulated, affecting soil health, plants, microbiota, and eventually human health. Health risks backed by research Microplastics have been found in human blood, brain, lungs, placenta, and more “according to recent studies”. They can trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, immune disruption, and cardiovascular risks. The digestive system is directly impacted: microplastics can irritate the gastrointestinal tract and disrupt the microbiome, leading to bloating, pain, and bowel habit changes. Microplastics were recently found in “human testicles”, potentially linked to declining sperm counts. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in plastics — such as phthalates, BPA/BPS, and PFAS — are “associated with hormone disruption and reproductive harm”. Because soft plastics degrade faster into smaller particles, reducing their exposure and fragmentation at home is one of the most direct prevention steps available today. Compacting soft plastics into secure blocks and sending them for proper recycling reduces the number of particles entering ecosystems and human bodies. What can you do to lessen the amount of microplastics created from flexible plastics You can’t eliminate soft plastic overnight. But you can decrease the volume of microplastics created from the packaging you use. Collect soft plastics separately Don’t toss soft plastics into general trash. Once mixed and compacted with other waste, they often end up in landfills or incineration — and eventually become microplastic pollution. Educate your circle Share facts, not fear. Encourage separate collection at home or at your workplace. Avoid soft plastic when you can Refill, reuse, or choose rigid or paper packaging — these materials are more recyclable and less likely to fragment. Don’t burn or shred it Burning releases toxins; shredding accelerates microplastic formation. Use a compaction system (like Soft Plastic Compactor) Compacting soft plastics reduces surface exposure and prevents early fragmentation. Clear Drop provides a full-cycle solution with real downstream recycling through partnered facilities. As awareness grows, so does responsibility and the ability to act. The journey from soft plastics to microplastics begins with everyday choices — and in those moments, prevention is possible. Make Soft Plastic Disposal Safer for the Planet Compacting soft plastics reduces surface exposure and prevents microplastics from forming during storage, handling, and transportation. Clear Drop® Soft Plastic Compactor (SPC) turns bulky packaging into dense 12×8×4-inch blocks that are easier to store and properly recycle. Learn more about the Soft Plastic Compactor Frequently Asked Questions Do soft plastics become microplastics faster than rigid plastics? Yes. Thin and flexible plastics break down more quickly under UV exposure, friction, and environmental stress. If microplastics are so small, why does compaction help? Compaction protects plastics from sunlight and abrasion, slowing early fragmentation and buying more time before proper recycling. Can recycling soft plastics reduce microplastic pollution? Yes. When soft plastics are properly compacted and recycled into durable products, far fewer microplastics enter the environment. What if there is no soft plastic recycling where I live? Compact and store soft plastics until drop-offs or mail-in programs are available. Clear Drop SPC enables direct shipping into our certified partner network.
Survey reveals trash sparks more fights than ch...
Trash duties are the most underestimated part of modern household life—yet they’re one of the biggest sources of conflict. According to a Clear Drop survey of 800 U.S. adults living...
Survey reveals trash sparks more fights than childcare, and why recycling Is at the heart of It
Trash duties are the most underestimated part of modern household life—yet they’re one of the biggest sources of conflict. According to a Clear Drop survey of 800 U.S. adults living with partners, 1 in 2 couples argue about trash and recycling more often than childcare decisions. This article explores how waste management affects relationships, why soft plastic recycling is especially stressful, and what practical home tools can help restore fairness and reduce guilt while improving sustainability. Trash duties spark more fights than childcare — 1 in 2 couples admit to arguing about trash, survey finds While big parenting decisions or figuring out what's for dinner can stir up conflict, the real flashpoint in modern relationships might be taking out the trash. According to a Clear Drop survey, 52% of couples have argued about trash duties — more than about childcare. While 30% of respondents said they don't argue about chores at all, the rest named garbage as one of the top 4 conflict triggers, right after cleaning, cooking, and laundry. Why waste management gets no recognition One reason for such contention? Trash and recycling are 6x less appreciated than cooking. We celebrate a home-cooked meal, but barely notice where the scraps go. We unwrap gifts with joy, then immediately forget about the packaging. Dealing with our trash is the final act of everything we consume, yet 72% of Americans say waste management doesn't feel like a valued task. Better systems reduce not only landfill waste but also stress at home. Gender roles in waste and recycling tasks According to the survey, 52% of respondents said the man usually takes out the trash — a rather visible chore. But behind that single action are numerous tedious tasks. At-home recycling involves sorting, rinsing, decoding triangle symbols, deciphering which plastics are accepted, which takeout containers are not, and whether a lid needs to come off a bottle. Key findings on household waste division: 52% of men typically handle trash removal 54% of women handle recycling sorting and preparation Women perform 1.5x more invisible waste management tasks In this way, recycling has become a mirror of domestic inequality: the visible gestures skew masculine, while the invisible tasks are seen as more feminine. Clear Drop solutions help rebalance invisible labor by simplifying preparation and recycling steps. Why women feel more recycling guilt than men The emotional weight of sustainability isn't shared equally, either. When asked if they'd ever felt guilty for throwing plastic in the trash without sorting it, 63% of respondents said yes. But the guilt also skewed sharply by gender: women are 1.5 times more likely than men to feel guilty about not recycling properly. This emotional burden is particularly heavy when it comes to soft plastic recycling, where clear disposal options are often unavailable through traditional curbside programs. Most people don't trust the recycling system Even for those who do the sorting, they don't have much faith in the system. Over half of Americans (58%) say they're not confident their recycling actually gets recycled. Women are even more skeptical: 62% of women doubt their recycling efforts make it through the system 54% of men share similar doubts It's a telling contradiction: The people doing more of the emotional and invisible labor are also the ones least convinced it matters. Their doubt has merit — in the U.S., only about 5% of plastic is successfully recycled. That’s why Clear Drop develops real soft plastic recycling solutions that connect household effort with proven downstream processing. Why soft plastics are a hidden source of household stress When asked which type of waste feels hardest to manage at home, hazardous items like batteries and electronics topped the list, accounting for nearly 25% of all answers. Food waste came close behind at 24% — both categories stood out as the most frequently mentioned trouble spots across households. Glass ranked third, with 17% of all answers. It's technically recyclable, but many cities have specific rules. People often wonder if they need to remove labels or if broken glass can be recycled or not. For 13% of respondents, soft plastics (including wrappers, bags, mailers, and film packaging) were most difficult to manage. Since most of these materials aren’t accepted by curbside programs or specialty drop-offs, they often end up in the trash. With no clear path for disposal, soft plastics have become one of the biggest blind spots in household waste. Clear Drop’s soft plastic compactor is designed to remove this blind spot by turning tricky-to-recycle packaging into dense blocks ready for real recycling. Paper and cardboard accounted for nearly 12% of answers, while cans and metal made up about 9.5%. In short, no category felt entirely frictionless, but hazardous and organic waste were flagged most often. Less arguing, more efficient recycling We live in homes that produce waste daily, yet most of us don’t know how to properly handle it, don’t believe our systems work, and don’t fully recognize the people who do the work anyway. While sustainability often feels like a personal responsibility, it’s also deeply social. It’s often shaped by how couples talk (or don’t talk) about fairness, trust, and what counts as “real work.” Talking openly about waste — who handles it, who gets thanked, and what happens after it leaves our hands — is a first step toward shifting both habits and norms. It also means being honest about the gaps in the system: how confusing rules, broken infrastructure, and low transparency erode trust. Clearer guidance, better tools, and public solutions that match the effort people already put into recycling are the missing pieces. Make Recycling a Source of Peace, Not Conflict Clear Drop’s home solutions simplify waste management and reduce invisible labor. Soft Plastic Compactor (SPC) compresses soft plastics into clean, compact 12×8×4-inch blocks that can be recycled through Clear Drop partners. Organics Collector keeps food scraps odor-free and ready for proper composting. See how Clear Drop creates a cleaner home and a cleaner world: https://onecleardrop.com/pages/for-business Frequently Asked Questions Why is household waste such a common conflict source? It’s daily, necessary, and rarely appreciated. When the work is invisible or unbalanced, tension builds quickly. Why are soft plastics so frustrating to recycle? Most curbside systems can’t handle them. They require extra steps—sorting, storing, mailing, or drop-off—which often fall on one person. How does the SPC reduce household stress? It eliminates sorting uncertainty and reduces storage volume up to 90%, making recycling simpler and more efficient. Does Clear Drop ensure plastics are truly recycled? Yes. Soft plastic blocks are sent directly to certified recycling partners and turned into new durable products.
Fixing the broken recycling system: why Clear D...
The global recycling system is struggling to keep up with the waste we generate. Most soft plastics are not accepted curbside, and Soft Plastic Compactor solutions are needed to handle...
Fixing the broken recycling system: why Clear Drop® exists
The global recycling system is struggling to keep up with the waste we generate. Most soft plastics are not accepted curbside, and Soft Plastic Compactor solutions are needed to handle what traditional systems cannot. Organic waste in landfills releases harmful greenhouse gases. Clear Drop® exists to solve this gap – preparing household waste for real recycling before it leaves the home. This approach, called pre-recycling, enables every household to make measurable impact toward a ZeroTrash future. From the Soft Plastic Compactor and Organics Collector to new inventions in development, Clear Drop’s mission is simple: to fill the gap between home waste collection and the recycling industry. Clear Drop aims to create a practical and truly impactful pre-recycling system, one that ensures materials are properly prepared for final recycling and 100% recycled with our partners. We created Clear Drop to fill the gap between home waste collection and the recycling industry with an ultimate ZeroTrash goal. We believe that real environmental change starts not with complicated recycling systems, but with smart, seamless solutions. Pre-recycling concept Pre-recycling bridges the gap between how waste is generated and how recycling actually works. Instead of relying on facilities to separate and rescue recyclable materials, Clear Drop® enables households to pre-process waste at the source. Soft plastics are compacted into density-enhanced blocks for efficient transportation and real downstream recycling. Organic waste is collected and stabilized without odors while retaining its compost properties through the Organics Collector. Together, these devices turn two of the most problematic waste streams into materials that recycling infrastructure can finally work with. Pre-recycling is not a replacement for recycling – it is what makes recycling possible. How Clear Drop® Solves What Recycling Can’t Soft plastics are prepared for real recycling instead of going to landfill. Organics are stored without smell or mess and stay compost-ready. Households produce less trash and need fewer collection pickups. Trucking emissions are reduced because volume is minimized at home. More material stays in the circular economy and out of nature. Clear Drop team Founder and CEO Ivan Arbouzov brings 34 years of experience in the hardware industry. Over his career, he has launched several ventures, including a media company, multiple product development businesses, and most notably, a multinational optics and electronics company that became a global leader and an industry standard in its niche. Ivan has been an inventor since childhood, always driven to create innovative solutions. With Clear Drop, he envisions a future where recycling begins at home, enabling households to pre-process waste in a way that benefits the entire system. This vision underpins Clear Drop’s mission to revolutionize soft plastic recycling and organic waste management for a cleaner, greener future. Plastic, especially soft plastic, is almost invisible in how ordinary it is. And yet, it's almost impossible to recycle. We unwrap something and immediately discard what’s left, often into a system that’s not ready to deal with it. “I wanted to work on something that truly mattered. Something that could help shift how we treat the world around us. That’s why I built one of our products, the Soft Plastic Compactor. Not just as a tool, but as a way to catch the problem at the moment it starts, right when waste is created. I reinvested what I earned from past ventures because I believe it needs to exist. I believe we can do better, not through greenwashing or gimmicks, but with real, practical tools that help people take action at home, right when something becomes waste,“ shares Ivan. That’s what the Soft Plastic Compactor and Organics Collector are for. It’s not just a machine. It’s a small shift in how we deal with what we throw away, and a step toward a better system. How the pre-recycling concept started Clear Drop® began developing pre-recycling technology five years ago, combining engineering, chemistry, and industrial design expertise into a new category of home appliances. The first Soft Plastic Compactor prototype debuted at CES 2021, gaining strong validation from industry leaders. Today, Clear Drop® continues to collaborate with recycling facilities, municipalities, and sustainability organizations to build a closed-loop ecosystem – one that guarantees recycling when materials are properly pre-processed. We have initiated collaborations with numerous projects, recycling facilities, industry stakeholders, and local authorities to create a more sustainable waste management ecosystem and to take responsibility for closing the loop with waste collected and compacted with our devices. Clear Drop envisions a future where households actively participate in waste pre-processing at the source. Backed by industry leaders Global recycling experts advise Clear Drop® to ensure our solutions align with real-world processing requirements. David Nix – former sustainability lead for global plastics producers, now guiding scalable soft-plastic recovery partnerships. Robert Render – pioneer of closed-loop industrial recycling programs with more than 200 successful initiatives. Their leadership ensures that Clear Drop® products are not “nice to have” gadgets – but critical infrastructure solutions for the future of circular waste systems. Call to Action: Explore Clear Drop® Devices Soft Plastic Compactor (SPC) – https://onecleardrop.com/products/soft-plastic-compactor-spc Organics Collector (OC) – https://onecleardrop.com/products/organics-collector Our long-term goal is simple: to shift how waste is handled at the point of generation in any form, starting with flexible plastics and organic waste. By working with partners across recycling, policy, and technology, we’re laying the foundation for scalable, lasting solutions to one of the world’s most urgent problems.
Getting started with soft plastic waste collect...
Flexible packaging makes everyday life easier, but most soft plastics still end up in landfills because they are not accepted in curbside recycling. With the rise of new recycling technologies,...
Getting started with soft plastic waste collection at home
Flexible packaging makes everyday life easier, but most soft plastics still end up in landfills because they are not accepted in curbside recycling. With the rise of new recycling technologies, the first and most important step begins at home. Clear Drop’s Soft Plastic Compactor (SPC) allows households to store and prepare soft plastics for actual recycling — without mess, smell, or excess storage needs. The complexities of soft plastic recycling Soft plastics are among the most difficult household materials to recycle. Their lightweight and flexible structure leads to technical challenges during sorting and processing, which is why less than 5% of soft plastics in the U.S. are successfully recycled. When sent to landfill, they contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, soil and water pollution, and long-term environmental harm. Transporting loose soft plastics to recycling points is also highly inefficient: more volume means more fuel and higher emissions. New circular solutions help bridge this gap — but they rely on proper preparation at home. Why is circularity important? The circular economy keeps materials in use longer — reducing demand for new resources, lowering emissions, and strengthening supply chain resilience. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, improving circularity in key industries could cut global CO₂ emissions by 9.3 billion tons by 2050. Circularity also supports economic and social progress by creating new jobs and reducing the environmental burden on vulnerable communities located near landfills and waste-processing facilities. How to start recycling soft plastics at home with the SPC? Here’s a simple step-by-step approach to make soft plastic recycling easy and consistent using the SPC: Identify soft plastics in your home Most soft plastics can be identified by crumpling them — if they ball up easily, the SPC will accept them. Suitable materials include HDPE (#2), LDPE (#4), and PP (#5), such as: Food wrappers Plastic shopping bags Bubble wrap and shipping film Cling and stretch wrap Zip-lock and freezer bags Avoid PVC (#3) and PS (#6), as well as organics, glass, metal, and paper — these should go into other existing recycling or waste systems. Clean and dry all plastic before storage Before placing soft plastics into the SPC, ensure they are clean and dry to maintain efficiency and support high-quality recycling. Store soft plastics efficiently The SPC compacts soft plastics into dense, shape-preserving blocks measuring 12×8×4 inches — up to 10× less volume than loose bags. Simply feed the plastic through the automated collector window daily. Most households produce approximately one block per month depending on usage. Recycle with Clear Drop The SPC is part of a full circular solution. Compacted blocks are easier to collect, transport, and recycle — and enter Clear Drop’s partner network for true downstream recycling. These blocks can be transformed into new durable products such as pallets, benches, landscaping materials, and decking. Create a recycling habit Make soft plastic recycling part of your family’s daily routine. Place the SPC where it’s easy to access, explain the process to household members, and normalize sustainability through consistent small actions. Ready to start your circular recycling journey at home? Explore the Soft Plastic Compactor Learn how Clear Drop supports recycling beyond your home
How Eduardo's Bridal & Tuxedo reduced soft plas...
Garment retail businesses rely heavily on flexible plastic packaging to protect inventory. But once gowns and tuxedos are unwrapped, that plastic becomes costly, bulky waste. Eduardo’s Bridal & Tuxedo, a...
How Eduardo's Bridal & Tuxedo reduced soft plastic waste volume by 90% with the SPC
Garment retail businesses rely heavily on flexible plastic packaging to protect inventory. But once gowns and tuxedos are unwrapped, that plastic becomes costly, bulky waste. Eduardo’s Bridal & Tuxedo, a family-owned formalwear retailer in San Antonio, partnered with Clear Drop to turn a previously ignored waste stream into a meaningful sustainability win. With the Soft Plastic Compactor (SPC), they now reduce soft plastic volume by nearly 90% and send compacted blocks into real recycling streams instead of landfills. Challenging soft plastic packaging waste Eduardo’s Bridal & Tuxedo has served customers for more than 35 years – from wedding gowns to tuxedos and quinceañera dresses. However, every rental garment arrives wrapped in soft plastic film: shipping wrap, protective covers, dry-cleaning bags, accessory packaging. Previously, this lightweight but bulky material was bagged and sent to landfill. Access to soft plastic recycling in the region was limited, and traditional recycling haulers did not accept film plastics. The result: overflowing bins, higher waste removal costs, and a missed opportunity to support sustainability goals valued by customers and employees, as well as to participate in structured business recycling programs. Solution Clear Drop installed the SPC directly in the back-room storage area, where plastic waste is generated. Staff received quick onboarding with simple signage so the workflow required no habit change. Soft plastics are now collected in one place and compacted into dense blocks using the SPC’s patented surface-softening technology. These space-saving blocks are stored cleanly, picked up monthly, and processed by Clear Drop’s recycling partners – ensuring the waste remains in a circular economy. “It was easy to get the team onboard. We generate so much plastic packaging just unboxing dresses. It was great to finally have something to do with it besides toss it.” — Laura D., store manager. The Soft Plastic Compactor (SPC) quickly became part of the daily routine, turning loose plastic into tidy, labeled blocks that fit seamlessly into existing back-of-house processes. Soft Plastic Compactor use case During the two-month pilot, the team collected garment wrap, shrink film from shipments, and dry-cleaning bags. Instead of piling up loose in trash bags, these materials became stackable, labeled SPC blocks ready for real recycling. No disruption to busy fitting-room workflow No additional storage needs for bulky waste Clear visibility of sustainability in action for staff and customers “It’s small, quiet, and honestly kind of satisfying to use. Makes us feel like we’re part of the solution, not just the problem.” — Sylvia B., sales manager. Results Eduardo’s Bridal & Tuxedo reduced soft plastic waste volume by approximately 90%, freeing valuable back-room space and lowering waste handling costs. The success of this pilot has led the business to consider expanding the SPC to its second location, along with customer-facing messaging that highlights their sustainability efforts. Their case shows that even a traditionally waste-intensive service business can make measurable progress with simple, scalable technology like the Soft Plastic Compactor (SPC). Bring Waste Reduction to Your Business See how the SPC can simplify soft plastic management and support your corporate sustainability goals. Learn more for business Explore SPC for your operations Frequently Asked Questions How much waste volume can the SPC reduce? On average, businesses see up to a 90% reduction in soft plastic volume depending on monthly usage and the types of packaging handled. What types of plastics can the SPC process? The SPC processes most soft film plastics, including garment bags, shipping wrap, bubble wrap, plastic mailers, and packaging film. PVC and PS are excluded and should not be placed in the device. How does pickup or recycling work for businesses? Compacted blocks are stored on-site and collected based on a program tailored to each location, ensuring all recyclable soft plastics enter the correct processing stream through Clear Drop’s recycling partners. Does the SPC require changes in workflow? No. The SPC integrates easily into typical back-of-house processes and requires minimal staff time, so teams can keep focusing on customers while improving sustainability performance.
