The Michigan Wolverines go head-to-head with the Tennessee Volunteers in a competition to see who can recycle the most during a college football game - and set a new World Record.

On September 23rd, an extraordinary event will take place within the hallowed grounds of Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor and Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. The stage is set for a spirited competition, for a consequential cause: the “Recycle Bowl”.

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The first-ever "Recycle Bowl" is a unique competition between the University of Michigan Wolverines and University of Tennessee Volunteers. On September 23, both teams will go head-to-head in their own stadiums to see who can recycle the most gameday waste - and set a new world record. (Graphic: Business Wire)

The Recycle Bowl transcends the realm of sports and rallies two powerhouse teams, the Michigan Wolverines and the Tennessee Volunteers. The cause is one that truly resonates with the global community - building a more sustainable world and achieving true circularity by helping increase recycling rates.

In a display of environmental stewardship, and friendly collegiate rivalry, the Michigan Wolverines and the Tennessee Volunteers will go head-to-head – off the field, but in their respective stadiums – to see who can recycle the most during their separate games. On the line: bragging rights and the opportunity to set a new World Record. During this historic occasion, these giants of collegiate sports will become champions not only on the field but lead a cause all fans can support: recycling.

During the 2022 season, the University of Tennessee set a world record for the World’s Largest College Recycling Event as 38,452.2 pounds of reused or recyclable materials at their November 12^th home game. When the 2023 season rolled around, they issued a challenge to the University of Michigan and its fan base.

A zero-waste Michigan Stadium supports U of M’s deep commitment to sustainability in education, research, and operations. Michigan Stadium has a 20-year recycling tradition and is committed to diverting recyclable and compostable materials from landfills. In fact, Michigan Stadium was recently featured in Waste 360 as one of the top college football stadiums in the country for its recycling efforts. The story noted that, “once Michigan Stadium is filled to the brim in blue and maize, attendees will see plenty of signage pointing them to containers for recycling and composting, food and beverages are served in compostable containers, cups, and trays, and after the game you can find cleanup crews sorting waste before it’s sent off to the proper facility.”

Recycling at The Big House is easy! To participate in the Recycle Bowl on September 23^rd, fans are encouraged to:

• Attend the home game against Rutgers.
• Deposit each plastic, paper, aluminum, cardboard, and compostable product you use during the game in the proper recycling or compost bins.
• Build upon these habits and recycle at home.
• Get pumped and learn more at https://mgoblue.com/sports/2023/8/24/recycle-bowl.

Nearly all the food service items purchased in Michigan Stadium can be recycled or composted. The job of Wolverine fans is to make sure everything gets into the proper bin during the “Recycle Bowl” – and during every home game this football season.

“Michigan Athletics is pleased to partner with the University of Tennessee in the Recycle Bowl,” said Kurt Svoboda, Associate Athletic Director for External Communications and Public Relations. “Our efforts in Ann Arbor are specifically aimed at supporting our campus-wide sustainability effort known as Planet Blue and achieving our zero-waste goal.”

The Recycle Bowl is supported by a number of committed corporate partners including: Amcor, Absopure, Clean Tech, Husky, LyondellBasell, The Plastic Industry Association, Plastipak, and the National Association for PET Container Resources. This event is a great reminder to us all that when we all recycle – whether it be at home, at the tailgate or at the game – it’s the planet that wins.

About Amcor

Amcor is a global leader in the development and production of responsible packaging solutions for various industries, including food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, home and personal-care, and more. Collaborating with leading companies worldwide, Amcor protects products and consumers while differentiating brands and enhancing supply chains through a range of flexible and rigid packaging, specialty cartons, closures, and services. The company remains committed to creating increasingly lighter weight, recyclable, and reusable packaging with a growing percentage of recycled content. With a global workforce of 44,000 employees, Amcor generated $15 billion in annual sales in fiscal year 2022, operating across 220 locations in 43 countries, listed on NYSE: AMCR and ASX: AMC.

About Absopure

Founded in 1908, Plymouth, Michigan-based Absopure is a family-owned home and office refreshment delivery services provider, offering direct delivery of water and coffee-related goods throughout the Midwest. The company provides a variety of bottled waters—including natural spring, steam-distilled, purified drinking, vapor distilled with electrolytes and alkaline—in an assortment of sizes ranging from individual bottles and cases to five-gallon jugs. Absopure water is also available in thousands of retailers across the country.

About Clean Tech

Clean Tech was founded in 1989 to reclaim the plastic in water containers and other post-consumer packaging. Clean Tech’s leaders knew that recycling would extend disposal capacity, save money in disposal costs and conserve natural resources. They saw further growth opportunity in the business’s potential for creating new jobs and providing a reliable, cost-effective resource for the manufacturing industry. This modern recycling center initiated the company’s entry into the environmental movement more than 30 years ago. Clean Tech recycled 2 billion bottles in 2007 alone at its Dundee, Michigan facility. It now recycles more than 10 billion bottles per year globally and continues to invest in recycling technology and operational improvements.

About Husky

Since 1953, Husky Technologies^TM has been pioneering technologies that enable the delivery of essential needs to the global community with industry-leading expertise and service. A global leader, Husky is powered by teams of exceptional people in more than 40 locations with valued customers who operate in over 140 countries. By focusing on sustainably sourced feedstocks, material reuse and the exclusive use of medical-grade polymers, Husky continues to be committed to enabling the circular economy now and into the future.

About LyondellBasell

We are LyondellBasell – a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. Through advanced technology and focused investments, we are enabling a circular and low carbon economy. Across all we do, we aim to unlock value for our customers, investors, and society. As one of the world’s largest producers of polymers and a leader in polyolefin technologies, we develop, manufacture and market high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. For more information, please visit www.lyondellbasell.com or follow @LyondellBasell on LinkedIn.

About The National Association for PET Container Resources (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 the PET package; to overcoming hurdles to the successful recycling of PET; and to communicating the attributes of the PET container as a sustainable package. Learn more at https://napcor.com/.

About the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is the only organization that supports the entire plastics supply chain, including Equipment Manufacturers, Material Suppliers, Processors, and Recyclers, representing over one million workers in our $548 billion U.S. industry. PLASTICS advances the priorities of our members who are dedicated to investing in technologies that improve capabilities and advances in recycling and sustainability and providing essential products that allow for the protection and safety of our lives. Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members, and the seventh largest U.S. manufacturing industry, more globally competitive while supporting circularity through educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, convening opportunities and policy advocacy, including the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, NPE2024: The Plastics Show.

About Plastipak Packaging

Founded in 1967 by William C. Young, Plastipak has stood as a pioneer in the design and manufacturing of innovative plastic packaging solutions for more than 50 years. Today, Plastipak Packaging, a wholly owned subsidiary of Plastipak Holdings Inc., is a global leader in the rigid plastic packaging and bottle-to-bottle recycling industries. We operate 40 manufacturing sites in North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia through which we produce more than 40 billion units annually. Our customers include some of the world’s most respected and recognized consumer brands within the aerosol; food and beverage; consumer cleaning; personal care; and automotive, industrial, and agricultural product markets. With global headquarters in Plymouth, Michigan, Plastipak holds more than 1,500 patents for our state-of-the-art package designs and manufacturing processes. Plastipak’s development of award-winning technologies and commitment to sustainability reflect our passion for Packaging the Future.

About Michigan Athletics

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving, and applying knowledge, art, and academic values and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future. Ranked as the country's number one public research university, the University of Michigan offers more than 275-degree programs across 19 schools and colleges. With more than 48,000 students on the Ann Arbor campus hailing from 50 states and 139 countries, Michigan's Go Blue Guarantee tuition program guarantees free tuition for families with incomes $65,000 and under. One out of every four in-state undergraduates pay no tuition to attend the University.

Michigan athletic teams have claimed 57 team national championships and 329 individual national champions over the years, beginning with football's 1901 national title. The history of Michigan athletics includes the famous winged helmet, 415 Big Ten Conference championship teams, 172 Academic All-Americans, 183 Olympic medals, and much more.

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