Let’s Start using your
Soft Plastic Compactor!
We’re excited to help you make soft plastic disposal easier and more sustainable. This page will take you through every step to get your SPC set up and help you understand how everything works.
Unpacking and setting up
Learn how to quickly unpack and set up your device for the first use.
First steps with SPC
Discover the basics and start using your SPC right away.
What does 
accept?
SPC - friendly plastic waste types
#2 (high density), HDPE
#4 (low density), LDPE
#5 (polypropylene), PP
Expanded Polypropylene (EPE)
#7, Other, in limited quantities
Flexible (soft) plastic you can easily crumple in your hand
Shopping bags
Bubble wrap
Food wrappers
Stretch wrap
Freezer bags
Zip-lock bags
Shipping packaging
Better ways to recycle this waste
Through recycling bins, curbside pickup, and other programs
#1, PET
PLA and biodegradable plastics
Paper
Glass
Metal and foil
Organics
What can’t you put in the
PVC
Pipes, vinyl record
PS & EPS
Disposable cups, sleeves
Takeout containers
Coffee cups, food trays
Celluloid
Guitar picks, combs, ping pong balls
Nitrile gloves
What to do when your block is ready?
1
Pack it up
Once your SPC has produced a solid block of soft plastic, place it into the prepaid return mailer provided in your subscription.
2
Leave it at the door
On pickup day, leave the envelope by your doorstep or mailbox for a contact-free pickup. The courier will collect it and take it to one of our recycling partners.
3
Recycled, for real
Your block goes to a certified U.S. recycling facility (e.g., Frankfort Plastics, Indiana) to be sorted, shredded, turned into raw material, and reused in durable goods.
Keeping your SPC clean
Your SPC doesn't mind getting its hands dirty, but a quick clean now and then keeps it in top shape. Wipe it down regularly to keep your waste compacting.
Troubleshooting
If soft plastic wraps around the rollers, follow these steps:
- Open the lid carefully.
- Disconnect the Soft Plastic Compactor (SPC) from the power supply.
- Remove any tangled or wrapped plastic from the rollers.
If the soft plastic cannot be removed manually, do not force it.
Contact Clear Drop Support for assistance at support@onecleardrop.com.
This issue may occur if materials like cling film or very thin packaging are inserted too quickly.
For best results, feed soft plastic waste slowly and evenly into the SPC.
If the screen does not light up or respond:
- Check that the SPC power cord is securely connected to the outlet.
- Try a different socket to rule out power issues.
- Restart the device by disconnecting and reconnecting it.
If the screen remains inactive, contact Clear Drop Support for diagnostics at support@onecleardrop.com
If soft plastic becomes jammed between rollers:
- Hold the “Start” button to feed the soft plastic further into the SPC.
- If it doesn’t move, press the “Reverse” button to eject it.
- If the jam remains, open the lid and carefully remove the material by hand.
- Once cleared, close the lid and restart the device.
Always ensure that the soft plastics are clean and free of hard labels before inserting. If the problem repeats, contact Clear Drop Support at support@onecleardrop.com
If the SPC powers off while forming a block:
- Turn the power back on and wait for the startup sequence.
- Follow any on-screen instructions or alerts.
- Ensure the device is not overloaded — remove excess plastic if needed.
If the issue persists, contact Clear Drop Support for diagnostics at support@onecleardrop.com
Get the most out of your SPC → Check out the manual!
Manual Download
Frequently Asked Questions
The Soft Plastic Compactor (SPC) has been thoroughly tested and proven safe for home use.
It doesn’t melt or burn plastic — it only softens it slightly to help pieces stick together. The air around the SPC remains clean and free of harmful emissions.
Independent lab tests have confirmed that the device meets safety standards and doesn’t release volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Learn more about how Clear Drop creates safe, sustainable recycling systems in “Fixing the broken recycling system: why Clear Drop® exists”.
For any concerns, feel free to contact Clear Drop Support at support@onecleardrop.com
Yes. All Clear Drop® devices, including the SPC, have undergone professional testing for air quality and indoor safety.
Results confirmed that no harmful gases or volatile substances exceed the Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC) during operation.
These results prove that the SPC is safe for continuous use indoor and supports a sustainable, emission-free recycling process.
You can explore how responsible plastic recycling impacts indoor environments in “Soft plastic recycling: key challenges and solutions”.
The SPC consumes only 3.3 kWh per month, or about $0.52, depending on local electricity rates — making it an energy-efficient home recycling solution.
It’s designed for daily use without noticeable energy impact, supporting the ZeroTrash® lifestyle.
The SPC doesn’t use a fixed compression force. Instead, it adapts automatically based on the plastic type:
- Rigid plastics → compressed to about 1/5 of original volume
- Light plastics (like bubble wrap) → compressed to about 1/10 of original volume
This flexible compression ensures maximum storage efficiency while maintaining material integrity for recycling.
One SPC stores about a month’s worth of soft plastic waste for an average household.
One SPC block can hold approximately a month’s worth of soft plastic waste for an average household.
Once full, the block can be shipped using the included prepaid recycling mailer — ensuring it reaches verified recycling partners in the U.S.
Yes, we recommend removing food residue and stickers when possible. Clean soft plastics help your SPC operate smoothly and prevent odor buildup on rollers.
The cleaner the input, the better the quality of recycled materials — contributing to high-grade plastic feedstock used in new products.
Learn how this process closes the recycling loop in “From soft plastic to microplastic: what to know”.
No, your prepaid mailer labels do not expire exactly after one month.
Your subscription includes one mailer as an average monthly guide — but you can use it later if needed.
While USPS doesn’t officially expire unused labels, some local post offices may apply restrictions.
We recommend using your mailers within a few months of receiving them for smooth processing.
If you experience issues, contact Clear Drop Support at support@onecleardrop.com.
No. The SPC is self-contained and does not require any consumables, chemicals, or replacement cartridges.
It’s designed for long-term sustainable recycling with minimal maintenance.
No. The SPC includes smart motion and pressure sensors that stop the rollers immediately if they detect an obstruction, such as a hand.
It’s completely safe for adult users but not intended for use by children.
If you ever experience a mechanical issue, disconnect the SPC and contact support@onecleardrop.com
The majority of plastic waste today isn't recycled, and greenwashing has made it hard to know which solutions are truly making a difference. That’s exactly why we built Clear Drop.
We’re proud to share that our SPC (Soft Plastic Compactor) blocks are guaranteed to be recycled, not sent to landfills or shipped overseas.
Here’s how it works:
✅ You compact your soft plastics into an SPC block.
✅ The block is shipped via prepaid mailer to verified U.S. recycling partners such as Frankfort Plastics Inc. (Indiana).
✅ The materials are shredded, cleaned, and processed into reusable plastic feedstock.
✅ These materials are then turned into new, durable items like benches, bins, or organizers.
✅ All recycling happens within the U.S. — no export, no landfill, no incineration.
We appreciate every recycling effort, but grocery-store collection bins often downcycle or export plastics, and only a small portion is actually recycled
With Clear Drop, each SPC block is tracked and processed by verified recyclers, guaranteeing that your soft plastics are truly recycled into new materials.
Learn more about the difference between “collection” and real recycling in “Soft plastic recycling: key challenges and solutions”.
Each SPC includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, a 2-year limited warranty, and optional extended coverage.
We offer free replacement for any defective unit.
For service or warranty questions, contact Clear Drop Support at support@onecleardrop.com
We’d love to hear from you!
Share your questions, recommendations, or ideas for improving your recycling experience at support@onecleardrop.com
Need help? Contact us.
