ANN ARBOR, MI — The University of Michigan has set a new world record for collecting the most recycled items at a football game.
More than 110,000 fans, students and partners at the Oct. 18 Michigan vs. Washington home football game collected over 23.5 tons of recycled and compostable materials as part of this year’s Recycle Bowl, according to a Nov. 19 press release.
The materials, collected across Michigan Stadium and neighboring tailgates, surpassed last year’s total of 22 tons.
Read more: Michigan Stadium set multi-ton recycling record during Oregon game
The University of Tennessee held the previous world record of 22.475 tons in 2023.
The Recycle Bowl is a 20-year tradition at the Big House that aims to grow recycling awareness among college football fans. The event is supported by the university’s athletic department, organizations such as the National Association for PET Container Resources and the PET Plastic Coalition, and businesses, such as Amcor Rigid Packaging, Clean Tech, Husky Technologies and Plastipak.
“This event shows how the energy and enthusiasm of our fans can drive real change,” Paul Dunlop, associate athletic director for facility operations and capital projects, said in the press release. “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.”
Materials collected from this year’s Recycle Bowl included tens of thousands of plastic bottles, compostable packaging and unopened food.
Every football game on average produces about 18,000 pounds, or nine tons, of recyclable materials and four tons of compostable waste, according to the press release.
“When you toss something in the recycling bin, you’re not throwing it away — you’re starting it on a new journey,” Tania Ferlin, director of sustainability advocacy at Husky Technologies, said in the press release. “By keeping materials out of landfills and our environment, we’re showing how small actions can lead to big change.”
Michigan offensive linemen Greg Crippen and Jake Guarnera visited a recycling facility to see where recycled materials begin their journeys, according to the press release.
“Seeing fans, students, and partners come together shows the true power of recycling in action,” Jack Pacente, vice president of global sustainability at Plastipak, said in the press release. “If recycled the right way, every PET bottle that is collected can be remade — proving that recycling works.”
All compostable materials were sent to UM Campus Farm in Ann Arbor for sorting and processing.
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