NextCycle Michigan has selected 14 teams to participate in its accelerator tracks focused on improving recycling supply chains (RSC) and supporting intergovernmental initiatives and public-private partnerships (I2P3).
Through participation in NextCycle Michigan’s accelerator, teams will build relationships with new networks while receiving technical support, financial resources, and capacity building for their recycling, recovery, and reuse initiatives.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) supports the NextCycle Michigan initiative, focused on improving Michigan’s recycling and waste recovery systems through collaboration and capacity building. The teams selected proposed innovative ideas to address gaps and opportunities highlighted in a 2021 NextCycle Michigan Gap Analysis. The analysis identified opportunities where NextCycle Michigan can boost innovative solutions for material management, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and further Michigan on its path to carbon neutrality by 2050 through the MI Healthy Climate Plan.
“Through NextCycle Michigan, we’re supporting local businesses, organizations, and governments seeking to improve Michigan’s sustainable materials management activities,” said Matt Flechter, recycling market development specialist for EGLE. “We’re engaging with minority-owned organizations and startup entrepreneurs to support building diversity, equity, and inclusion in Michigan’s circular economy.”
The I2P3 Accelerator Track focuses on public-private partnerships working to implement recycling and composting solutions that create resilient and adaptable communities. The selected teams are:
- Calhoun County – Plan to move recycling operations to a location where it can implement baling and expand its comprehensive recycling center.
- Crawford County – Will aim to implement a countywide recycling program.
- Dickinson Conservation District –Will develop plans for curbside recycling service in densely populated areas and drop-off locations in rural areas.
- City of Eaton Rapids, Eaton Rapids Township, and Hamlin Township – Will develop plans for a new recycling center for residential recyclables as well as bulky and hard-to-recycle materials.
- Isabella County Material Recovery Facility – Plan to overhaul and upgrade its existing materials recovery facility.
- West Michigan Environmental Action Council Education Foundation –Will look at improving residential recycling in Muskegon County through program development, promotion, and sustainable partnerships and funding.
- Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region –Will create a community composting pilot to supply local farmers with compost.
The RSC Accelerator Track centers around projects that establish, improve, or expand supply chains related to collection, processing, or end markets for recyclable material in Michigan. Selected teams are:
- Kadeya – Seeking to offer the world’s first closed-loop beverage vending machine where customers receive reusable bottles of local water and return them to be sterilized and reused.
- Latrenae’ Collection – Develop a business plan and connection with investors for its luxury, upcycled handbag for high heels.
- Mission LLC’s Hero Project –Aiming to build an e-waste system for cannabis vape pens through design, rebates, branding, communication, and sorting.
- Perfect Circle Recycling – Seeking to expand its recycling capacity and improve its software to allow customers to explore their waste diversion data.
- reUser – Plan to expand its software offerings for tracking reusable takeout containers and establish new corporate and institutional partners.
- SCRAP Creative Reuse – Aiming to grow partnerships and the capacity of its craft reuse program to service and provide education to low-income and historically underserved neighborhoods in Washtenaw County.
- Sipzee – Planning to increase bottle recycling through a mobile app which pairs recyclers with drivers to return their cans for a portion of the deposit.
The 14 teams will join a NextCycle Michigan network of 59 alumni teams. These projects were selected based on the potential to address a waste material stream as identified by the Michigan Gap Analysis, center equity in the solutions being implemented, leverage collaboration and partnerships, and other core metrics developed by the selection panel of industry experts.
During the next eight months, NextCycle Michigan will support these new teams through the accelerator program to prepare teams for a fall showcase event where each will deliver a pitch to stakeholders, NextCycle partners, and investors. Teams will receive:
- Individualized project plan development and support.
- Access to business, industry and investment experts.
- Direct coaching support.
- Matchmaking with partners and funders.
- Workshops and networking events.
- Private and public funding opportunities.
Past teams have benefited from state funding and private investment after participating in NextCycle Michigan. Since 2018, an estimated $690 million has been invested in growing Michigan’s circular economy. In addition to supporting investment in initiatives, NextCycle Michigan has a variety of pathways to advance recycling, recovery, and reuse in the state through its accelerator program, data, and partner connections.