Manual compactor #1

Unwaste.io is developing a manual plastic bottle compactor for use in waste collection. The aim is to make something that can be easily transported and used on the side of the road, so that every truck can carry greater volumes of waste. That means more collections, more recycling, and more waste removed the environment. It also means waste pickers can collect and sell their waste more frequently and in higher volumes, giving them an opportunity to increase their income.

What is a manual compactor so important?

In a series of videos, our founder Cameron Smith and operations supervisor Arcel Boaventura Zandamela (based in Maputo, Mozambique) will answer these questions — and more.

This journey offers a real glimpse into the daily challenges of waste pickers and recyclers in the Global South. It’s a reminder that recycling, especially where infrastructure is weak, is not only difficult but often polluting, costly, and dangerous.

Here’s the first video, explaining the activities of our Wastebase Deal service. This service was a precursor to Repa.

👉 Stay with us as we explore why innovation adapted to local realities matters.