When discussing insperiences (the trend of bringing professional grade products and services into the domestic domain), one thinks of plush home cinemas and chef-worthy kitchens. An indoor recycling plant doesn't immediately spring to mind. But that could change with the arrival of the Ecopod.
Created in partnership with BMW DesignWorksUSA, Ecopod's E1 Series is a household recycling center that aims to change the way consumers take out their trash. The appliance houses a compactor, and provides an efficient way to crush, store and redeem recyclable beverage containers, specifically plastic bottles and aluminium cans.
Consumers throw their bottle or can in the appropriate slot, step on a foot pedal, and enjoy the satisfying sound of compaction. The compacted container falls into an internal bin, which can be removed for redemption or curbside disposal. Each pod has storage capacity for approximately 50 crushed containers, while an upper compartment has additional room for glass bottles, newspapers and other recyclable materials. Everything neatly stored away and ready to moved to the next step in the recycling chain.
Anything that makes it easier for consumers to be green is worth partnering with. Ecopod will be available for the 2006 holiday season; if you're in household goods, it's probably time to start placing your orders. (The system will also be featured in Williams-Sonoma's January 2007 catalogue.) And if you're based outside the US: snap up local distribution rights.
Website: http://www.ecopod.org
Contact: info@ecopod.org
Genius - lets do it.
I can't wait till our January 2007 catalog comes in the mail! I have a trash compactor so I empty it weekly but I have to take out the recycle bin almost daily. Great eco idea!!!
Why bother? What a total waste of money and space.
No it's not a waste of space. For me it would save space compared to my present setup with two regular recycle bins.
Consider the market this is aimed toward: people who by & large don't recycle because they think it's messy and inconvenient, who are generally affluent and have new-ish kitchens, and who don't mind paying for good design. What they get is something that looks like a kitchen appliance, is neat and compact, and makes recycling so easy there's no excuse not to. And whoever's first on the block to get one will have their neighbors going "That's clever, good for you!" and "Where did you get that?, I want one!"
Ecopod is now offered at http://eartheasy.com/shop/ecopod.htm
for what seems like the cheapest price on the 'net.
Usually, one of the first thing a recycling plant does, is to separate/sort "all" the different types of plastics (or metals)it receives. It is a very important procedure. How will they be able to to this, if the different plastics are pressed in one bloc? It will become impossible... Unfortunately, unless the consumer learns to identify, to then seperate and also label its garbage (a bit too much to ask, no?), this product deceives the purpose. The waste (plastic or metal)intented for recycling, will have to end up in a landfill. Awfull...
Interesting point Nat. It really is no sweat to crush a coke can under ones foot (my 87 year-old father does it)or a plastic bottle in ones hands (take the cap off, crush and screw the cap back on to help preserve its crushed shape). Yet another example of an unnecessary kithcen gadget to pander to the consumerist Jonses?