I recently had the opportunity to try out the Shrinker! 3.0 soft plastic compactor by Wholly Shrink! and I must say, I’m impressed!
What exactly is a Shrinker!? It’s a device designed to make recycling your soft plastics easier by compacting them into a manageable size. How does this help you? If you have access to a soft plastics recycling service, then it means you can collect more soft plastics and keep them contained before your next drop-off or pick-up date.
With its compact design, it doesn’t take up much space and will fit in any kitchen cupboard or utility area. Although I prefer to keep mine out on the bench for easy access. The compactor effectively reduces the volume of soft plastics, allowing you to store more recyclables in less space.
Overall, I highly recommend the Wholly Shrink! Soft Plastic Recycling Compactor to anyone looking for an effective and convenient way to recycle soft plastics at home. It’s a game-changer in the world of recycling soft plastics, making it easier than ever to do our part for the environment.
What is a Shrinker! and why do you need one?
The Shrinker! 3.0 is a soft plastic compacting device made for the home. It’s essentially a small benchtop container into which you can push and poke your soft plastic bags, packaging, and wrappers to compress them into a manageable size.
Why would this be handy?
If you’re a soft plastic recycler, you’ve likely encountered the frustrating struggle of containing these elusive materials. Picture yourself diligently gathering soft plastics, cramming them into a plastic bag with all your might. You press, push, and even kneel on the bag, determined to fit in as much as possible. Yet, despite your best efforts, the bag begins to rebel. Slowly but surely, it starts to bulge and expand as if mocking your attempts to confine it.
Suddenly, pieces of plastic begin to push their way out, defying your efforts to contain them.
And then, in a moment of defeat, the bag gives way, splitting at the seams, and soft plastics fly out everywhere, leaving you surrounded by a sea of unruly materials. It’s a familiar tale of frustration as you find yourself right back where you started—with soft plastics everywhere.
Even if luck is on your side and the bag manages to hold, you’re faced with another challenge. The once-compact plastic bag now resembles a balloon, threatening to engulf your storage space. It’s as if the bag has a mind of its own, expanding relentlessly and filling every inch of your cupboard area.
Enter the Wholly Shrink!—it’s a game-changer in your battle against unruly soft plastics. It’s designed to help you manage even the most stubborn pieces of soft plastic into a neat, compact package that holds them together like magic. Gone are the days of overflowing kitchen cupboards.
The Technical Details
The Shrinker! is an Australian-designed solution for collecting your soft plastics, designed and made by Wholly Shrink! in Sydney. There’s currently only one size and color available, but it’s a nice design and looks good on the kitchen bench where we keep ours. If you prefer, it fits nicely under the sink or in a cupboard. They cost AUD $35.99 each and can be purchased online.
The Shrinker! 3.0, as the name suggests, is their third version. I have used both the early 3D printed prototype and the second version and can say that the build quality of the current injection molded version is fantastic. I initially purchased the prototype in 2022, and the build quality was not as high, but that’s to be expected with an early prototype.
The Shrinker! 3.0 is not only a well-constructed product but true to their word; it’s made from 100% recycled plastics, it’s a truly circular product.
The recycled material is supplied by TerraCycle, a company that collects and manages hard-to-recycle materials worldwide. Hopefully, you’ve already heard of them, but if not, check out my article on TerraCycle to learn more, and be sure to take a look at all their free and paid recycling programs in your local area. Most importantly, they have a soft plastic recycling box for anyone who does not have access to a program. I have been using their boxes while my local soft plastic recycling service is on hold. See below for more ways to find soft plastic recycling near you.
In terms of performance, the Wholly Shrink! delivers consistent results, compressing soft plastics into compact bundles that are ready for recycling.
It’s a great solution that helps reduce waste and contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle.
How to Use the Shrinker! 3.0
The Wholly Shrink! compactor is incredibly easy to use, making the recycling process hassle-free.
- Screw together the bottom and top of the Shrinker!
- Place a bag into the compartment. A bread bag is a good size, but any plastic bag will do.
- Use a wooden spoon to press the liner against the bottom of the Shrinker!. Pull and tuck any excess plastic into the ‘tidy hole’, then secure it by screwing the ring lock on top to conceal it.
- Check what soft plastics are accepted by your local service. You can find information on your local service below, but your best to check with your local authority.
- Pop in your soft plastics and use the plunger to push them down.
- Once the Shrinker! is full, unscrew the top cover and tie up your bag.
- Unscrew the two parts of the Shrinker! to release the bag. Then, it’s back to step number 1.
Follow the video below to learn more:
How To Find Your Local Soft Plastic Recycling Service
Your access to soft plastic recycling will depend on where you live. Head over to our article on how to recycle your soft plastics to find soft plastic recycling near you.
Other Items Considered
- Customer service – I have had a good experience with the company each time. There have been reasonable delivery times and no issues.
- Packaging – The product is packaged completely in cardboard, so it’s all recyclable. No unnecessary plastic bags, etc.
- Materials – As mentioned above, the Shrinker! 3.0 is made from recycled materials supplied by TerraCycle.
Who is the product for/ not for
The Shrinker! 3.0 is for anyone who wants to start recycling more to help reduce their overall impact. It would suit someone with access to soft plastic recycling services. With the Shrinker!, you’ll be able to store a lot more in a smaller space or make your trip to the recycling drop-off location more worthwhile.
If you don’t currently have access to a recycling service, it may not be the right time for you. However, using the Shrinker! might help you store more soft plastics ready for when a collection service becomes available.
In summary, the Shrinker! 3.0 is a great way to take control of your soft plastics, make it a fun exercise for kids and adults alike, and help increase recycling rates. My husband and I especially enjoy filling the Wholly Shrink! at the end of a tough day. Plus, we get a lot of questions when our friends visit, wondering what this contraption is on our bench.
How I Tested
Testing the Wholly Shrink! Shrinker! 3.0 has simply been a daily exercise for me. Where I live, I currently don’t have access to a soft plastic recycling service, so instead, I purchase a TerraCycle Soft Plastics Waste Box. The Shrinker! sits on our bench, and my husband and I use it every day. Once it gets full, we tie up the bag and pop it into our TerraCycle Waste Box. This means we can fit a lot more into the box before we drop it off at the post office and send it back to TerraCycle for recycling.
Testing the Shrinker! has been by using it every day, filling it as full as possible, and enjoying the positive experience of recycling our waste.
Why should you trust me? I’ve been writing about recycling for 5 years now and am the author of Recycling For Dummies. You can learn more about me and Everyday Recycler in the About Us section.
Where to Buy Your Shrinker! 3.0
Say goodbye to bulky plastic waste and hello to compact, manageable recyclables. Transform your soft plastics effortlessly with our space-saving design.
Get yours today.
