NextCycle Michigan Collaborating to SHAPE Sustainable Packaging in Great Lakes Region
Resource Recycling Systems Inc. (RRS), in collaboration with the Michigan State University Research Foundation, Michigan State School of Packaging, the Ohio State University and a number of other partners, has submitted a proposal to the National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines Type 2 competition for funding consideration. The NSF Engines program strives to boost innovation capacity, create sustainable innovation ecosystems, and demonstrate inclusive economic growth. The proposal “The Great Lakes Sustainability Hub for an Alternative Packaging Ecosystem (SHAPE)” is a finalist, and if awarded, NextCycle Michigan will play a big role!
SHAPE aims to solve packaging waste pollution by transforming existing practices and developing new cost-effective sustainable packaging materials and designs that align with collection, sorting, recycling, and upcycling used packaging. A key focus is to repurpose industrial and agricultural bio-based wastes to generate local, sustainable manufacturing supply chains. The new sustainable packaging materials will fulfill the requirements of both customers and manufacturers while being competitive in the marketplace alongside conventional materials.
To ensure fairness and inclusivity, SHAPE prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) and will reach out to diverse communities including those who may not traditionally be a part of the innovation process. The plan is to connect with communities in cross-sector partnerships to optimize and validate the research with those who will be directly impacted. NextCycle Michigan is positioned as a key partner to facilitate implementation of this plan. An additional goal is to generate well-paid and meaningful employment opportunities and promote equitable outcomes.
SHAPE was selected as one of 200 concepts, nearly 100 full proposals, one of 35 selected for virtual site interviews, and is now one of 16 finalists. If selected, SHAPE will leverage existing industrial and academic facilities to conduct real world research and development and the NextCycle Michigan accelerator, represented by RRS as co-applicant, will be fully engaged to drive success.
The NSF Engines Type 2 program will provide each awardee with $15 million for the first two years, with up to $160 million over 10 years based on progress assessed annually. Winners will be announced in late 2023.