Here is a concept we are trying to promote. We would welcome hearing your ideas.
Bloberator
Getting Plastic out of the ocean, waterways and landfills
Situation: The news has extensively covered the amount of plastic that if getting into the food chain in the ocean in fish and birds, some of which eventually finds its way into seafood that is widely consumed. Surfers and swimmers are well aware of the amount of plastics found in waterways everywhere.
Many municipalities have announced “Plastic Bag Bans” with much fanfare as a means of reducing the amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean. While well meaning, single use bags represent only a fraction of the plastics that come into the home and will ultimately find their way to recycling or a land fill.
Proposal: Create a plastic recycling appliance that would be used in homes, offices and other venues to facilitate the collection of waste plastics reducing the amount plastic that finds its way into the eco system. The device would be a combination shredder/blender/compactor which would reduce mixed plastics to a compact brick which could reduce the cubic volume of plastic waste by up to 90% reducing the amount of airborne plastic and the cost of transporting waste to a landfill or recycling center. The device could also have a heating element that bind the plastic particles into a “blob”.
Culture: A goal of this appliance would be for school kids to save their lunch bags from school to pick up plastic on the streets on their way home in order to feed it to the Bloberator.
Partnering: Cities seeking to seriously impact the reduction of plastics in the waste stream could consider purchasing the Bloberator as an alternative to a single use bag ban. A city like Solana Beach has 6000 households. At a ball bark cost of $30, every home could be provided a unit for $180,000 and would not only result in significantly more plastics being recycled, but would also reduce the expense of waste removal by reducing the cubic volume. Reducing trash hauling costs and landfill requirements can contribute to an ROI.
SeaWorld would also be an excellent partner as it could present a positive image to families nationwide about keeping plastic out of the ocean. Sea World logos and environmental messages could be included in the package. The appliances could be promoted at Sea World, sold in retail and online channels (Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Target, etc.).
Recycling: A number of firms are developing technology that will recover mixed used plastics from landfills to be converted into liquid fuels. Collecting millions of 1-2 pound blobs of plastics with a higher plastic content that found in a landfill will favorably impact the expansion of this capability. Here are a few companies that would likely be ready partners and may even site facilities near sources of supply:
Process: This program will be implemented in the following stages:
- Design estimate (Industrial/Mechanical/Electrical)
- IP Phase – Are there patents or trademarks that could be secured?
- Prototype
- Initial Production
Next Step: Seeking a partner to underwrite the design phase. They will also be given the opportunity to secure branding and merchandising rights as well. Alternatively, a KickStarter crowd funding campaign could be used to develop supporters and funders.