New Cohort Welcomed
NextCycle Michigan Welcomes New Cohort Focused on Public Sector Programs and the Recycling Supply Chain
The NextCycle Michigan Accelerator program welcomed 16 new teams: eight teams focused on public sector programs and infrastructure, and the other eight teams focused on recycling supply chains. Both tracks will receive six months of one-on-one coaching, along with access to data and research, economic and operational planning, environmental impact analysis, product development guidance, marketing and outreach support, and other assistance specific to each team.
The NextCycle Michigan Accelerator program kicks off each cohort with a two-day in-person academy. The newly selected teams gathered on June 23rd and 24th at the University of Michigan Dearborn campus and were immersed in workshop sessions where they engaged with coaches, mentors, and other teams. They dove into Michigan’s circular economy landscape, identified gaps in their business models and project plans, practiced pitch building and storytelling, recognized sustainability drivers, and learned about funding pathways.
The new cohort focused on public sector programs and infrastructure will work to advance projects that are increasing access to recycling, diverting food scraps from landfills, expanding capacity for processing recyclables and reducing textile waste. The selected teams include:
CITY OF DETROIT - Detroit Decentralized Composting Network
The Detroit Decentralized Composting Network, a partnership between the City of Detroit and Sanctuary Farms, aims to reduce food waste by creating a sustainable, decentralized composting system. The project will cut methane emissions, improve soil health, and provide economic opportunities, while expanding access to composting services and serving as a model for other cities in sustainable waste management.CITY OF KALAMAZOO - Recycling Drop-Off Super Center
The project aims to open a recycling drop-off super center in Kalamazoo to provide residents and businesses with increased access to recycling services for materials not included in curbside collections, such as EPS foam, tires, plastics, electronics, and textiles. The center will be open at least 24 hours per month, offering a year-round, convenient recycling option and contributing to environmental sustainability.DELTA SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY - MRF Tipping Floor Expansion
Delta Solid Waste Management Authority plans to expand its tipping floor space at its material recovery facility (MRF) to accommodate increased recyclable materials from surrounding counties and improve regional recovery. Outreach and education will be a key to improving recycling quality and reducing cleanup costs. Additionally, the authority is exploring a new 24-hour drop-off facility in Delta County.FOOD RESCUE US – LANSING COMMUNITIES – Expand Food Rescue
Food Rescue US - Lansing Communities (FRUS-LC) utilizes a network of volunteers to deliver perishable excess food from commercial donors to agencies fighting hunger. The initiative aims to expand its impact through community partnerships and regional collaboration to serve the greater Lansing/Mid-Michigan area and share its operational experience as a potential food rescue and source reduction infrastructure model for other Michigan communities.MANISTIQUE HIGH SCHOOL - Establish Recycling in Manistique
The project aims to introduce single-stream recycling in Manistique by providing recycling carts to households in the city and utilizing drop-off locations in the rest of Schoolcraft County. Recyclable materials will be shipped to the Marquette MRF.MICHGAN FIBERSHED – Regenerative Natural Textile Circular Economy
Michigan Fibershed is working to create a regenerative circular natural fiber textile economy in Michigan, focusing on sustainable practices using locally grown feedstocks like wool, flax, and hemp. The organization promotes material resource recovery, upcycling, and natural dyeing, while developing sustainable fiber supply chains, supporting local farmers, and reducing textile waste.VAN BUREN CONSERVATION DISTRICT - Recycling & Organics Drop-Off Infrastructure and Community Partnership
Van Buren County has limited recycling access, with no food scrap recycling and few yard waste disposal options. This project aims to expand recycling access by opening all transfer stations to all residents, adding new drop-off locations, and introducing food and yard waste recycling.WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY - Organics Diversion at WMU
Western Michigan University currently landfills over 80,000 lbs. of organic waste annually and seeks to develop solutions for diverting this waste, aligning with its zero waste and carbon neutrality goals. The project aims to create a business plan for large-scale organics diversion, which could reduce costs, expand campus composting, and potentially increase regional waste handling capabilities.
The new cohort focused on recycling supply chain is working on projects that better manage e-waste, repurpose textiles, teach construction materials reuse strategies, eliminate the need for plastic roll-off liners, utilize technology to redistribute food surplus, refurbish household appliances, offer curbside organics pickup, and repurpose electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The selected teams include:
2DALOOP – E-waste Management
2DaLoop is building a platform that identifies electronic devices via UPC symbols, classifies device components and materials, and optimizes pathways into repair networks, manufacturing supply chains, and secondary markets. The platform is transforming e-waste into high-value assets, enabling true circularity, and fostering sustainable innovation.COMPLETE IMAGE MANUFACTURING CO. – Repurposing Textile Waste
The proposed project, GreenStitch Project, is designed to address the growing issue of textile waste in Michigan by repurposing discarded fabrics into high-quality, sustainable products. The project will focus on collecting and recycling fabric waste generated from factories, textile production, and consumer goods, transforming these materials into marketable products such as tote bags, cushions, quilts, and home decor.DETROIT TRAINING CENTER - Construction Material Reuse Education
GRIT (Groundbreak: Reuse Integration Training) is an educational program at the Detroit Training Center that teaches construction professionals material reuse strategies to embed circular economy principles in the industry. The program aims to expand over time, measuring impact through job placements, financial outcomes, and material diversion, while cultivating a sustainable construction industry in SE Michigan.DRURY BROTHERS INC. – Sliding Wall Roll-Off Box
Drury Brothers has a proprietary roll-off box with an internal sliding wall mechanism that eliminates the need for plastic liners. It has already demonstrated cost savings and environmental benefits for businesses handling food waste and industrial byproducts. It is suitable for various waste streams, including food waste and filter cake from businesses and wastewater treatment plants.GO SEE THE CITY – Online Platform to Redistribute Food Surplus
This project is a tech-enabled platform that connects Michigan businesses with consumers and nonprofits to sell or donate surplus food, reducing waste and supporting food security. It improves supply chain efficiency, cuts disposal costs, and helps divert edible food from landfills.PIVOT POINT - Household Appliance Recycling
Pivot Point, a Midland-based nonprofit, collects and refurbishes household appliances to provide affordable goods to low-income individuals while promoting recycling and reducing landfill waste. The program also creates job opportunities by training individuals with employment barriers in appliance repair.RESOURCEFUL RECYCLING - Residential & Commercial Compost Transportation
Resourceful Recycling is launching a curbside compost and food waste pickup service in Shiawassee County, partnering with Great Lakes Fusion to divert organic waste from landfills and create compost for agricultural and landscaping uses. This project will improve local waste diversion, reduce methane emissions, and strengthen Michigan's recycling infrastructure.VOLT HARBOR INC. - Repurpose Used EV Batteries into Battery Energy Storage Systems
Volt Harbor is developing a 60 kWh / 30 kW commercial-scale battery energy storage system using second-life EV batteries and its patented MAC-BESS technology, aiming to reduce costs by 30-50% and simplify deployment. The project supports Michigan's circular economy, enhances domestic energy security, creates local jobs, and promotes sustainable, resilient energy storage solutions.
The accelerator program culminates with a showcase event where teams pitch their projects, vying for awards, seeking investment, and connecting with partners. This cohort will take the stage in October 2025. Watch for details on date and location soon!
The week of June 23rd was a busy one for the NextCycle Michigan crew. A new cohort of teams was ready to launch, while an earlier cohort was ready to shine in the spotlight at the NextCycle Summer Showcase on June 25th, also hosted at the University of Michigan Dearborn campus. Read more about that event HERE.
ABOUT NEXTCYCLE MICHIGAN
Since 2020, NextCycle Michigan has supported projects that prevent waste, reuse materials, recycle and compost, and produce new products from recycled/recovered materials. The accelerator program utilizes six-month cohorts to connect entrepreneurs, community leaders, institutions, and non-profits with the operational and technical support to make positive change in Michigan’s environment, economy, and community. NextCycle Michigan is funded by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and is facilitated by Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), with support from Centrepolis Accelerator and the Michigan Recycling Coalition. From public sector programs and material recovery infrastructure to reuse services and recycled-content products, the program strives to fill gaps and strengthen Michigan’s circular economy.
