Minnesota companies join initiative to advance film recycling efforts

MBold, a coalition of Minnesota-based food and agriculture business leaders and developers, has announced that 18 companies and organizations have joined the coalition’s efforts to build a circular economy for flexible film in the Upper Midwest region.

According to a news release from MBold, the coalition’s circular economy initiative is rooted in collaboration among its members, including General Mills, Schwan’s Co., Target, Ecolab, Cargill and the University of Minnesota, with the aim of reducing plastic waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and driving circularity.

The following organizations have joined MBold’s flexible film initiative:

• AllinaHealth;
• Andersen Corp.;
• Bedford Industries;
• Dem-Con Cos.;
• GreenForest Recycling Resources;
• HealthPartners;
• Hormel Foods;
• The Kraft Heinz Co.;
• Kraus-Anderson;
• Land O’Lakes Inc.;
• Metropolitan Airports Commission;
• Midwest Marina Association;
• Marvin;
• McGough;
• Minnesota Grocers Association;
• M.A. Mortenson Co.;
• Post Consumer Brands; and
• Uponor.

“It takes a village to bring a circular economy to scale,” says JoAnne Berkenkamp, managing director of MBold. “We are so glad these new project partners are joining us on this journey to tackle a major sustainability challenge through innovation and collaboration.”

Organizations joining the MBold initiative are asked to explore opportunities to have their flexible films—such as pallet wrap and shrink wrap—recycled close to home, evaluate strategies for increasing use of recycled resin in new film products and provide strategic support to the circular economy effort.

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MBold says other key partners in the flexible film initiative include film recycler Myplas USA and film manufacturer ChargerNext Generation. Myplas plans to open a state-of-the-art recycling plant in Rogers, Minnesota, sometime in 2023. The plant will recycle and pelletize nearly 90 million pounds of low- and high-density polyethylene packaging and film annually at full capacity. CharterNext Generation plans to purchase recycled resin from Myplas for inclusion in a wide range of film products for food, health care, construction, industrial, boat wrap and other markets.