Comment 11 for bug 1502556

In the midst of 2017, the memory leak still exists...
I'd like to help you, if I can.

:~$ inxi -F -z -! 31
System: Kernel: 4.4.0-78-generic x86_64 (64 bit) Desktop: KDE Plasma 5.8.6 Distro: Ubuntu 16.04 xenial
Machine: System: LENOVO product: 3484JBG v: ThinkCentre Edge72
           Mobo: LENOVO model: N/A v: 0B98401 PRO Bios: LENOVO v: F1KT70AUS date: 06/12/2015
CPU: Quad core Intel Core i5-3470S (-MCP-) cache: 6144 KB
           clock speeds: max: 3600 MHz 1: 1911 MHz 2: 1891 MHz 3: 1724 MHz 4: 1964 MHz
Graphics: Card: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v2/3rd Gen Core processor Graphics Controller
           Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1920x1080@60.00hz, 1920x1080@60.00hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Ivybridge Desktop GLX Version: 3.0 Mesa 12.0.6
Audio: Card Intel 6 Series/C200 Series Family High Definition Audio Controller driver: snd_hda_intel
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.4.0-78-generic
Network: Card: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver: r8169
           IF: p5p1 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
Sensors: System Temperatures: cpu: 29.8C mobo: 27.8C
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info: Processes: 283 Uptime: 2 days Memory: 2897.5/7807.0MB Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.2.35

:~$ sudo apt-cache policy plasma-workspace
plasma-workspace:
  Installiert: 4:5.8.6-0ubuntu1~ubuntu16.04~ppa2
  Installationskandidat: 4:5.8.6-0ubuntu1~ubuntu16.04~ppa2
  Versionstabelle:
 *** 4:5.8.6-0ubuntu1~ubuntu16.04~ppa2 500
        500 http://ppa.launchpad.net/kubuntu-ppa/backports/ubuntu xenial/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     4:5.5.5.2-0ubuntu1 500
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/universe amd64 Packages

My solution on most days:
ALT + F2
kquitapp5 plasmashell && kstart plasmashell