Plastipak Champions Recycling at Michigan’s 3rd Annual Recycle Bowl

About the Recycle Bowl

Launched in 2023, the Recycle Bowl is Michigan Athletics’ annual sustainability event designed to highlight the impact of recycling on game day. Each year, fans, students, and partners unite in a spirited competition to divert waste from landfills by collecting recyclables and compostables throughout Michigan Stadium.

The 2025 Recycle Bowl, held during the October 18 matchup between the University of Michigan and the University of Washington, united over 110,000 fans in a shared effort to divert every piece of paper, PET plastic, cardboard and metal from landfills toward a circular future. Surpassing the University of Tennessee’s 2023 world record of 44,950 pounds of recyclables collected, proving that teamwork and sustainability go hand in hand.

Closing the Loop with PET

At the heart of this initiative is closing the loop on PET (polyethylene terephthalate) — the world’s most recycled plastic, identified by the #1 chasing arrows symbol. In 2024, tens of thousands of PET bottles were collected during the Recycle Bowl, demonstrating the power of collective action to keep materials in use and out of landfills.

Plastipak, a global leader in PET packaging innovation and recycling, supports the event to showcase how recycled PET can be transformed into new bottles, apparel, and packaging — reducing waste and conserving resources.

Plastipak’s Role and Real-World Impact

As a proud event sponsor, Plastipak and other companies brought sustainability to life with interactive experiences for fans and families, including:

Michigan football players Greg Crippen and Jake Guarnera, both offensive linemen, went behind the scenes at Recycle Ann Arbor’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) to see where materials from curbside recycling bins begin their journey. They witnessed firsthand how recyclables are sorted, cleaned, and prepared for reuse — a powerful demonstration of the impact of recycling. The visit highlighted how one simple action, like recycling a plastic bottle, can help close the loop: a PET bottle can be collected, processed, and made into another bottle again and again, showcasing the true power of circularity and sustainability beyond the field.

“Seeing fans, students, and partners come together shows the true power of recycling in action,” said Jack Pacente, Vice President of Global Sustainability at Plastipak. “If recycled the right way, every PET bottle that is collected can be remade — proving that recycling works.”

Inspiring the Next Generation of Recyclers

“Michigan Athletics was pleased to once again participate in the 3rd Recycle Bowl,” said Paul Dunlop, 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 turning everyday items like water bottles into new products, we’re proving that recycling is not only possible, but essential to creating a sustainable future.”

With over 30 recycling facilities worldwide, Plastipak continues to lead the charge toward a circular economy, designing packaging that’s made to be remade. Through partnerships like the Recycle Bowl, Plastipak demonstrates how collaboration between business, education, and the community can create lasting environmental change.