Panasonic will launch a new garbage-processing machine next month which makes use of a special platinum-palladium catalyst, the Japan Times reports today (11th March).

The RISAIKURA MS-N53 recycler can hold up to 2kg of organic rubbish, which it then mixes up and breaks down into compost with the assistance of heat and the catalyst.

The device has a number of different settings relating to what extent the garbage is dried out - between three and six hours - and it is also said to be fairly inoffensive to the nostrils.

Users can select the shorter option if they intend to create compost with more protein to help the fertilisation of plants and vegetables, while the longer option suits long-term fertilisation of trees.

According to Panasonic, the device - which runs off mains electricity, weighs roughly 12kg and uses around 800W - will retail for 85,000 yen (£627) when it hits the market on 26th April.

The Japanese company has also confirmed that a smaller model, the 1kg-capacity MSN-23, will be launched at a retail price of 65,000 yen.

Source:

Cleaning up: (11/03/09)
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nc20090311pc.html