Las Vegas – Gadgets Make It Last at the Tech Show

The annual Las Vegas Electronics Show CES is known for its devices that are set to end up on shelves, but items and ideas for waste handling are plentiful, too. From reducing plastic to a more efficient way to recycle, review some of the projects submitted during the 2022 edition.

Shocking images of plastic waste have circulated widely in recent years, symbolizing the excessive consumption of disposable materials around the world. In the face of this pest, the Ukrainian company Effa manufactures toothbrushes and razors that are made primarily of paper, even if they contain recyclable metals or plastic.

“We are fighting global plastic pollution by making environmentally friendly materials that are disposable,” says Anna Slim, director of marketing for the startup. The toothbrush and shaver head are made of plastic, but they can be removed and recycled, while the handle can be composted.

To reduce humanity’s dependence on fossil fuels, which contribute to global warming, alternatives are essential. From renewable energies to biomass and hydrogen, there are really many options. Ammonia could be another one.

“We are developing technology that turns ammonia into a renewable fuel, particularly for uses in the onshore, offshore and transportation heavy industries,” explains Alison Agrey, a spokesperson for Amogy, a state-based startup.

The machine developed by the company isolates hydrogen molecules from ammonia, which can be used in fuel cells that operate similarly to a battery.

“It’s easy to move and store. There is already an integrated infrastructure,” Alison Agrey describes, adding that the technology is currently in the prototype stage.

A home recycling center? This is the idea of ​​Lasso Loop Recycling. The startup designs a machine that cleans and stores recyclable waste, similar to home appliances.

“Every year, millions of tons of plastic, glass and other useful materials end up in landfills or are dumped into rivers and oceans,” the company’s website states. “Co-founders Aldous Hicks and Alison Richardson felt there was a more efficient method and created the Lasso System.”