University of Michigan Shows the Power of Recycling and the Promise of PET

At NAPCOR, we believe that progress happens when education meets action. That spirit was on full display in Ann Arbor this fall, when University of Michigan fans, students, and partners came together to set a new world record for recycling during the 2025 Recycle Bowl. More than 110,000 fans at Michigan Stadium collected over 47,000 pounds and 23.5 tons of recyclable and compostable materials, in a victory for both recycling content and educational awareness.

This record-setting performance meant that the University of Michigan’s Recycle Bowl, now in its third year, officially surpassed the University of Tennessee’s previous benchmark of 44,950 pounds collected at a single sporting event. It was a milestone not just for college athletics, but for circularity.

PET in Action

Among the most collected materials were tens of thousands of PET bottles, each a small but powerful example of how recycling works. PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is the world’s most recycled plastic, easily recognized by the number “1” resin code. When collected and recycled correctly, PET can be remade into new bottles, thermoformed packaging, textiles, and countless other products without compromising performance.

This is exactly the pathway envisioned in a circular economy: a material used, recycled, and remade, again and again. PET is endlessly recyclable and fully recoverable, and it retains its protective properties even after multiple cycles. It is a winner for manufacturers, retailers, and consumers over other food packaging materials, such as aluminum and glass.

The Recycle Bowl, in which the University of Michigan partnered with Amcor Rigid Packaging, Clean Tech, Husky Technologies, Plastipak, and NAPCOR, demonstrated that collaboration between industry and institutions can scale circularity in real time. By transforming everyday items, such as water bottles, into new, high-value products, this initiative helped fans view recycling not as an abstract concept but as a measurable, achievable process.

The Educational Ripple Effect

The Recycle Bowl wasn’t just a record-setting event. It was a teaching moment. University of Michigan football players visited Recycle Ann Arbor’s Materials Recovery Facility to see firsthand how recyclables are sorted, cleaned, and prepared for reuse. That experience brought to life what many of us already know: recycling starts with a simple decision to place a bottle in the right bin, but it doesn’t end there. Each recycled PET bottle reduces waste in landfills and waterways, increases the availability of high-quality raw material for manufacturers, and delivers economic benefits to communities.

The PET industry supports more than 265,000 jobs across North America, with recycling infrastructure investments exceeding $11 billion since 2017. Events like the Recycle Bowl help build awareness that everyday recycling choices fuel this broader system.

Why PET Matters

Moments like this underscore why PET deserves its own spotlight. As we often remind policymakers and consumers, “plastic” is not just one category. Each material has distinct characteristics, recyclability outcomes, and carbon impacts. PET stands apart because it checks every box: it is fully recyclable, lightweight, shatter-resistant, energy-efficient to produce and transport, and able to incorporate high levels of recycled content without losing integrity. It’s also a material that directly connects people to the concept of circularity. When a PET bottle collected at The Big House returns to store shelves as another bottle, the value of circularity becomes visible and personal. That transparency builds trust and motivates participation.

Looking Ahead

The University of Michigan’s achievement is more than a world record. It is evidence that recycling works when systems are in place to support it, and people are empowered to participate. By demonstrating how PET and other materials can remain in circulation rather than become waste, Michigan and its partners have shown what is possible when education, innovation, and community engagement come together.

Myth or fact? Check out these short videos—each less than a minute—made at Recycle Bowl 2025, testing Michigan fans’ knowledge.