After Record-Setting Year, Michigan Recycle Bowl Returns to the Big House
Fourth annual event aims to top last year’s world record and show how easier recycling can drive participation
ANN ARBOR, Mich.—October 15, 2026—After University of Michigan fans helped set a world record by collecting more than 47,000 pounds of recyclable and compostable material at last year’s Recycle Bowl, the fourth annual event will return to Michigan Stadium, also known as the Big House, on October 24 with an even bigger goal: to break the record again.
Held in conjunction with the Michigan-Indiana football game, the 2026 Recycle Bowl will bring together the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), the Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC), Schupan, and the University of Michigan for a real-world demonstration of recycling at one of the largest sporting venues in the country.
The results from previous Recycle Bowls offer compelling evidence of what is possible and the waste impact beyond the stadium. In 2025, 110,000+ fans recovered more than 47,000 pounds of recyclable and compostable material generated from game-day activities in and around Michigan Stadium. That record-setting performance followed collections of 44,000 pounds in 2024 and 40,000 pounds in 2023.
This year, organizers hope to build on that momentum while helping fans understand what happens after a recyclable item goes into the bin.
“For a PET plastic bottle, the last sip is just the beginning,” said Laura Stewart, Executive Director of NAPCOR. “PET bottles are made to be remade, and the Recycle Bowl, as well as Michigan’s statewide Deposit Return System, brings that idea to life. By making participation simple and recovering more recyclable material, we keep valuable resources in use and move closer to a truly circular system for PET plastic.”
PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic, identified by the #1 inside the triangle, is the most recycled plastic in the world, with a 30.2% recycling rate in the US in 2024. PET is FDA-approved for food contact. When properly collected and sorted into bales, those bottles can be remade into new bottles, keeping valuable material in use, supporting jobs and a circular economy in Michigan, while keeping recyclable waste out of landfills, lakes, and parks.
The Recycle Bowl also comes as Michigan works to increase recycling statewide, offering a high-profile demonstration of how business, infrastructure, education, and consumer participation can work together to recover more valuable material. It shows that when people are given convenient access to recycling, it works. During the 2025 Recycle Bowl, Wolverine fans collected more than 47,000 pounds of recyclable material.
“Michigan is committed to making recycling more accessible and understandable for residents across our state,” said Tracy Tomaszewski, Recycling Specialist at EGLE. “Events like the Recycle Bowl show how education, infrastructure, and participation work together. When people know what to recycle and have a convenient place to do it, everyday actions can add up to meaningful environmental benefits.”
Throughout game day, fans and families can take part in recycling activities that are informative, accessible, and fun. Planned FanFest activities include a Touch-a-Truck experience with Recycle Ann Arbor’s recycling truck, recycling games for kids, free cappuccinos, coffee and hot dogs, and a chance to win two (2) tickets to the men’s basketball home opener against Oakland on Nov. 2.
University of Michigan student-athlete Jake Guarnera will also promote the effort on social media, helping educate young fans about what can and cannot be recycled while bringing the recycling message directly to Wolverine fans.
The event builds on previous Recycle Bowls at the University of Michigan while underscoring a broader lesson: effective recycling depends on collaboration.
“The Recycle Bowl is a great example of meeting fans where they are and making recycling part of the game day experience,” said Kerrin O’Brien, Executive Director of MRC. “Whether someone recycles a bottle at the Big House or at home, clear information and convenient access to recycling opportunities make a difference. Consistently creating those conditions is how we build stronger recycling habits and recover more material across Michigan.”
For the University of Michigan, the Recycle Bowl also demonstrates how major events can provide a platform for practical sustainability education and participation. By engaging students through both athletics and academics, the initiative empowers the next generation to build stronger recycling habits.
“Michigan Athletics is pleased to participate in the fourth annual Recycle Bowl,” said Paul Dunlop, University of Michigan’s Associate Athletic Director for Facility Operations and Capital Projects. “This event shows how the energy and enthusiasm of our fans can drive real change. By making recycling easy and getting the Wolverines community involved, we’re proving that recycling is not only possible, but essential to creating a sustainable future.”
“Large events give us an opportunity to show sustainability at work at a meaningful scale,” said Alison Richardson, Sustainability Program Manager with the Office of Campus Sustainability and Innovation. “The Recycle Bowl connects an everyday action, like putting a bottle in the right bin, with the larger systems that allow materials to be recovered and used again. We hope Wolverine fans leave not only having participated on game day, but also understanding the importance of recycling in their everyday lives.”
More than a one-day collection effort, the Recycle Bowl demonstrates what can happen when industry, government, institutions, communities, and consumers work together to make recycling easier. When the right systems are in place, one bottle can become another, and one game day can help show the way toward a more circular future. For more information, visit positivelypet.org/recycle-bowl.
About NAPCOR
Founded in 1987, the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) is the industry association for the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic packaging industry in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. NAPCOR is dedicated to promoting PET packaging, overcoming hurdles to successful PET recycling, and communicating the attributes of the PET container as a sustainable packaging option. Learn more at https://napcor.com/.
About the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) protects Michigan’s environment and public health by managing air, water, land, and energy resources. EGLE’s mission is to protect Michigan’s environment and public health through managing public water supplies, protecting the Great Lakes, administering environmental regulations, and promoting sustainable energy practices across the state. Learn more at https://www.michigan.gov/egle.
About the Michigan Recycling Coalition
The Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC) advances effective resource use and recovery across Michigan through education, collaboration, and support for businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, and individuals. MRC promotes waste reduction, recycling, reuse, composting, and recycled-content purchasing. Guided by a 15-member Board of Directors representing public, private, and nonprofit organizations, MRC serves as a statewide resource on recycling and composting through the expertise of its staff and committees. Learn more at http://www.michiganrecycles.org/.
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Media contact:
Lindsay JK Nichols, NAPCOR Communications Director, 571-416-0708
