GAMEPLAY: Great intro tutorial-not-tutorial. While the controls were interesting and tight, having to pass items between up to three claws was frustrating, especially when the floor opens up. dumping my items and kicking over my sandcastle. I ended up just seeing how many grannies I could kill before I ran out of energy--accidentally flinging one through the ceiling and into the machine.
VISUALS: Not the most stugging pixel art, but I was charmed nonetheless, especially on the mechanical parts. More diversity among the items would be great and fit the recycling theme.
SOUND: I like how ploinky the music is, but with that short a loop over this slow a game, it only adds to the frustration. Mechanical sound effects on the arms would be a good touch.
THEME: You put it best yourself. Even granny...