The University of Michigan Sets New Record for Largest Recycling Event in School History

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): The University of Michigan fans can now proclaim they are among the nation’s “leaders and best” at college football gameday recycling. Wolverine fans who attended the Nov. 2 game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor against the top-ranked Oregon Ducks helped achieve the largest recycling event in the University of Michigan history. Together, they collected a new record of more than 22 tons of recyclable materials at pre- and postgame tailgate parties and during the game inside the stadium as part of the school’s second-ever Recycle Bowl.

The Recycle Bowl is an innovative campaign aimed at growing recycling awareness among college football fans for recycling at the game and during tailgate festivities. It is supported by partners including The University of Michigan Athletic Department, Absopure, Amcor Rigid Packaging, Clean Tech, Husky Technologies, National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), Penn Color and Plastipak. “Michigan Athletics is pleased to once again participate in the Recycle Bowl,” said Paul Dunlop, Associate Athletic Director for Facility Operations and Capital Projects.

“We put a lot of effort into diverting as much waste as possible from landfill at Michigan Stadium,” Dunlop said. “Our zero-waste initiative is one of many ways the Athletic Department supports campus-wide efforts to advance sustainability. To have our efforts rewarded by setting a new record at this year’s Recycle Bowl is a great opportunity for us to showcase our commitment and dedication to sustainable practices.”

Michigan’s total this year surpassed the 20 tons (or 40,000-plus pounds) of recyclable materials processed during its inaugural Recycle Bowl in 2023. During the 2024 Recycle Bowl, Michigan Athletics collected more than 44,000 pounds of reused or recyclable materials, including PET plastic bottles, aluminum, paper, cardboard, wooden pallets, composting and food donations. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)—easily identified by the #1 on the container—is a type of polyester plastic that’s strong, lightweight, and recyclable. PET, the most recycled plastic in the world, is used to package food and beverages, including water, juices, and carbonated soft drinks. It’s also used for health, beauty, and cleaning products.

“Our three goals for the Recycle Bowl are to create recycling habits, grow recycling awareness and ultimately improve recycling rates,” said Eric Roegner, President, Amcor Rigid Packaging, one of the event’s sponsors.

“It’s a tremendous platform that allows sports fans to embrace a cause that truly resonates with the global community: building a more sustainable world and achieving true circularity by increasing recycling participation,” Roegner said. “The Recycle Bowl is a great reminder to us all that when we all recycle — whether at home, at the tailgate or at the game — it’s the planet that wins.”

Showcasing the circularity of PET packaging, which can be endlessly recycled, and the benefits of recycling, the PET plastic collected from the Nov. 2 game will be turned into new water bottles by Michigan-based Absopure. Those bottles will be distributed for free to fans at Michigan’s Feb. 21 basketball game against Michigan State University at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor.

A zero-waste Michigan Stadium supports the University of Michigan’s deep commitment to sustainability within its education, research and operations. Michigan Stadium has a 20-year recycling tradition and is committed to diverting recyclable and compostable materials from landfills.

On any given Saturday during a Wolverine football game, the more than 111,000 people who filter in and out of Michigan Stadium generate approximately 6.5 tons of recyclable materials, such as cardboard pizza boxes, aluminum cans and plastic bottles and containers. They also produce approximately 2 tons of compost, including specially designed compostable food trays, napkins, coffee lids, soda cups, cheese cups and lids, deli wraps, popcorn bags, spoons, forks, knives, straws and food waste that Michigan Athletics serves to patrons through its Michigan Stadium food and beverage vendors. The compostable items taken Nov. 2 from Michigan Stadium were delivered to WeCare Organics LLC in Ann Arbor for sorting. All recycling materials were taken to the Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority.

Michigan Athletic’s Recycle Bowl announcement comes as the Great Lakes State’s recycling rate has hit an all-time high for an unprecedented third consecutive year. At its current pace of improvement, Michigan is on track to achieve the state’s goal of a 30% recycling rate by 2029.

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com