A modular recycling apparatus, means for and article of manufacture are disclosed. The various embodiments solve the inherent problems with recycling consumer items such as plastic bottles, aluminum cans and the like, The device enables a bottle or container to undergo a quasi-state change, thereby occupying much less space in its recycled form. As a result, the volume needed for storage is optimized and as such the energy required for transport is reduced by at least an order of magnitude.

A recycling device stowable beneath a countertop for compressing bottles. The recycling device includes a housing having a chamber and a heating element capable of applying a moderate heat to the bottles received therein. The chamber includes a funnel section and an upper opening removably covered by a door, wherein the door can open to allow for depositing of the bottles within the chamber and close to restrict access to the chamber during the actuation of the heating element. The funnel section can direct the bottles to a specific orientation directly adjacent to the heating element, wherein a compression assembly positioned below the funnel section can reduce a volume of the bottle by collapsing the sidewalls of the bottle. In some embodiments, the door is operably connected to the heating element and the compression assembly such that upon closing of the door, the heating element and the compression assembly activate.