Michigan Recycling Coalition

What Michigan Recycling Coalition does

The Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership coalition founded in the early 1980s and headquartered in Lansing, Michigan. It serves as the statewide convening body for Michigan's recycling, organics, and sustainable materials management ecosystem, with active engagement across all 83 of Michigan's counties. Its primary constituents are local and county governments responsible for materials management planning, recycling industry professionals, composting and organics operators, and agriculture/marine industries generating film plastic waste.

MRC's core offerings span four pillars: education (Leveling Up Recycling and Organics Education program, Community Education Grants of $7,500 each, Master Recycler/Master Composter train-the-trainer courses, Materials and Recycling Management training); specialized recycling programs (Recycle Run for boat shrink wrap that has recycled 220+ tons, and the Agriculture/Greenhouse Film Plastics pilot at Eaton County's Sunfield Recycling Center at $0.08/lb); advocacy (extended producer responsibility, county planning support, Part 115 modernization); and convening (the 44th Annual Conference drawing 350+ professionals, 8 regional meeting structures, the Great Michigan Compost Tour with 250+ attendees). Sub-brands include the Michigan Organics Council (US Composting Council charter chapter since 2017), Recycle MI, Landscape for the Lakes, and Recycle Run. The organization does not develop proprietary technology products; its value is delivered through staff-led programming, partnerships, and digital content.

Revenue is generated through five streams: recurring membership dues from businesses, government, nonprofits, and individuals; annual conference exhibitor fees ($725/$850) and four-tier sponsorship packages ($1,500 to $6,000); the year-round Recycling Alliance sponsorship program ($3,000 to $12,000); grants from U.S. EPA Region 5 and EGLE; and transaction-based fees on recycling programs. The 5-person staff is supplemented by a 14-member Board of Directors representing members such as Meijer, WM, Padnos, Dart Container Corp., and EGLE.

Name

Michigan Recycling Coalition

Legal name

Michigan Recycling Coalition

Website

https://michiganrecycles.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Michigan Recycling Coalition is a 501(c)(3) statewide nonprofit coalition that advances recycling, composting, and sustainable materials management in Michigan through education, policy advocacy, and program coordination serving all 83 counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recycling and Sustainable Materials Management Advocacy

NAICS

Waste Management and Remediation Services (562), Materials Recovery Facilities (562920)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Solid Waste & Recycling Services Administration (BPAIACAH)

Keywords

• Recycling coalition
• Sustainable materials management
• Organics diversion programs
• Recycling advocacy services
• Composting education training

Headquarters

HQ city

Lansing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The MRC operates as a membership-based coalition. Businesses, government entities, nonprofits, and individuals join the MRC to access networking, advocacy representation, education, and member-only resources including newsletters and the customizable flyer library.
2. Annual Conference Revenue: The MRC's 44th Annual Conference generates revenue through exhibitor booth fees ($725 for members, $850 for non-members), sponsorship packages at various levels (Platinum $6,000, Gold $4,500, Silver $3,000, Bronze $1,500), and registration fees. The Recycling Alliance membership runs $3,000-$12,000 annually for year-round sponsorship benefits.
3. Program Grants and Funding: The MRC receives grant funding from sources including the U.S. EPA for education programs, and EGLE for initiatives like the Landscape for the Lakes campaign. The Renew Michigan Fund allocates $15 million annually for recycling infrastructure and market development, which MRC helps direct and administer.
4. Boat Shrink Wrap Program Fees: The Recycle Run boat shrink wrap program charges for EZ-Fill bags from Dr. Shrink to cover collection, pick-up, haul-away, and recycling costs. Each bag accommodates 800 sq. ft. of plastic from one 32-foot boat.
5. Film Plastics Recovery Fee: The Ag/GreenHouse Film Plastic recycling program at Eaton County's Sunfield Recycling Center charges an $0.08 per pound recovery fee to cover program costs. Invoices are payable by check.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Michigan Recycling Coalition is a nonprofit membership organization that advances recycling, organics recovery, and sustainable materials management in Michigan through advocacy, education, training programs, and operational recycling initiatives. It delivers paid training (Master Recycler, Master Composter, MRM), operates specialized recycling programs (Recycle Run for boat shrink wrap, Agriculture/Greenhouse Film Plastics), hosts an annual conference and regional meetings, and administers community education grants funded by EPA Region 5 and EGLE. The organization sells memberships, sponsorships, conference registrations, and training enrollments to businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, and individuals across Michigan.

Product overview

The Michigan Recycling Coalition operates as a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and services focused on advancing recycling and organics management across Michigan. The core offerings include educational programs (Leveling Up Recycling and Organics Education with Community Education Grants, Master Recycler/Master Composter training, Materials and Recycling Management training), specialized recycling programs (Recycle Run for boat shrink wrap, Agriculture/Greenhouse Film Plastics recycling), advocacy initiatives (EPR policy, county planning support), and awareness campaigns (Recycle MI, The Great Michigan Compost Tour). The Michigan Organics Council serves as a sub-brand/state chapter of the U.S. Composting Council. The Coalition also provides practical toolkits (Making the Case for Recycling, Residential Community Education Toolkit) and hosts the annual MRC Conference as the premier gathering for Michigan's recycling professionals. The organization coordinates eight regional meetings across Michigan and provides resources including reports, infographics, and policy guidance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Michigan Organics Council: A state committee of the U.S. Composting Council working to bring together organics generators, processors, and end users to network, share best practices, and promote diversion of organics and utilization of compost products.
• Recycle, MI
• Landscape for the Lakes
• Recycle Run

Products and services

• MRC Annual Conference Michigan's largest gathering of recycling, organics, and materials management professionals featuring educational sessions, networking, facility tours, exhibitor booths, and workshops. Attracts over 350 recycling professionals annually. The 44th Annual Conference is scheduled for May 11-13, 2026 in Kalamazoo. Exhibitor booths priced at $725 for members and $850 for non-members.
• Recycle Run Boat Shrink Wrap Recycling Program Michigan's official boat shrink wrap recycling program that collects and recycles polyethylene film plastic from boats into composite decking and other products. Boaters and marinas purchase EZ-Fill bags from Dr. Shrink; bag purchase covers collection, pick-up, haul-away, and recycling costs. Each bag accommodates 800 sq. ft. of shrink wrap from one 32-foot boat. Over 220 tons of shrink wrap recycled to date.
• Agriculture/Greenhouse Film Plastics Recycling Program A pilot recycling program operated in partnership with Eaton County's Sunfield Recycling Center to recycle high and low density polyethylene film plastics from Michigan's farms and greenhouses. Charges an $0.08 per pound recovery fee to cover program costs, with invoices payable by check.
• Master Recycler Training A 10-hour foundational sustainable materials management course taught by trained facilitators that embeds recycling knowledge in communities through residents and small businesses. Available as a paid training program within MRC's Leveling Up Recycling and Organics Education initiative.
• Master Composter Training A train-the-trainer program that transforms community members into composting experts who can help neighbors learn composting techniques. Available as a paid training program within MRC's Leveling Up Recycling and Organics Education initiative.
• Materials and Recycling Management (MRM) Training A comprehensive, interactive Michigan materials management learning experience focusing on sustainable materials management topics, key systems, tools, resources, and peer-to-peer connections. Available as a paid training program within MRC's Leveling Up Recycling and Organics Education initiative.
• Recycling Alliance Year-Round Sponsorship Annual sponsorship program offered at four tiers (Circular $12,000, Impact $9,000, Eco $6,000, Green $3,000) providing year-round benefits beyond the annual conference, including membership, event attendance, marketing exposure, booth space, complimentary registrations, social media mentions, and scholarship funding.
• Annual Conference Sponsorship Packages Conference sponsorship packages at Platinum $6,000, Gold $4,500, Silver $3,000, and Bronze $1,500 levels, including booth space, complimentary registrations, social media mentions, and scholarship funding benefits.

Quantifiable outcome

• 220+ tons of boat shrink wrap recycled through Recycle Run program
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SEEDS Ecology & Education CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers commissioned RRS to produce the Northwest Lower Michigan Organics Diversion report funded by a 2021 EGLE Market Development Grant. SEEDS is developing a demonstration and training center and is a key partner in the Northwest Lower Peninsula regional organics strategy covering 10 counties.
• Dr. ShrinkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDr. Shrink is the exclusive provider of EZ-Fill Recycle Run bags for Michigan's boat shrink wrap recycling program. Boaters and marinas purchase bags from Dr. Shrink, with bag purchase covering costs of collection, pick-up, haul-away, and recycling. Individual boaters with fewer than 5 boat covers can call Dr. Shrink directly at (800) 968-5147 for reduced shipping costs. Each bag accommodates 800 sq. ft. of shrink wrap from one 32-foot boat or 1-3 smaller boats.
• Eaton County Department of Resource RecoverycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEaton County's Sunfield Recycling Center is the primary drop-off location for Michigan's agricultural and greenhouse film plastic recycling program. Partners submit appointment requests through Eaton County's website, deliver prepared materials during scheduled appointments, and pay an $0.08/pound recovery fee. The facility serves as the processing hub for the pilot program launched with Michigan Farm Bureau partnership.
• Michigan Farm BureaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan Farm Bureau partnered with MRC and Eaton County to launch the agricultural film plastic recycling pilot program. Michigan's agricultural sector includes over 47,000 farms generating significant quantities of waste film plastics. Farm Bureau helps promote the program to its member farmers and greenhouses across the state.
• RRS (Reliance, Refined, Sustain)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRRS is the consulting firm that produced the Northwest Lower Michigan Organics Diversion strategy report and case studies. RRS has also produced Michigan Market Development reports and gap analyses for EGLE. RRS serves as Gold-level conference sponsor and provides expertise on recycling economics, market development, and materials management planning.
• Networks NWminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetworks NW serves as a convener of local units of government around solid waste issues in Northwest Lower Michigan. Listed as a next-step partner in the regional organics strategy for supporting regional coordination among the 10 counties working on organics diversion.
• Bay Area Recycling for Charities (BARC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBARC (Bay Area Recycling for Charities) is a partner in both the boat shrink wrap Recycle Run program and the agricultural film plastics recycling program. BARC operates as an integrated drop-off center and material management facility, handling boat shrink wrap, electronics, appliances, and household recyclables. Located in Coldwater, Michigan.
• U.S. Composting Council (USCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Michigan Organics Council is Michigan's Charter Chapter of the U.S. Composting Council, voted in November 2017. This affiliation provides access to national composting standards, professional development, and industry best practices. MRC participates in International Compost Awareness Week as part of this affiliation.
• EGLE (Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEGLE is the primary state agency partner, providing grant funding for programs including Landscape for the Lakes campaign and Market Development Grants. EGLE oversees county materials management planning, facility permitting, and the Renew Michigan Fund administration. MRC serves as appointed stakeholder on EGLE's Solid Waste and Recycling Advisers.
• Michigan Boating Industries AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the boat shrink wrap recycling program (Recycle Run). The association represents Michigan's boating industry and helps promote shrink wrap recycling to marinas and boat dealers statewide. Also supports Michigan Clean Marina Program.
• Michigan Clean Marina ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in promoting boat shrink wrap recycling as part of Clean Marina certification and recertification applications. Marina participation in Recycle Run supports Clean Marina applications.
• Emmet County RecyclingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner in film plastics recycling and boat shrink wrap programs. Emmet County Recycling operates a waste transfer station, residential and commercial recycling, commercial organics collection, material recovery facility, and compost facility in Northern Michigan.
• Edge Materials ManagementminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFilm plastics processing partner in MRC's agricultural and marine film plastics recycling ecosystem. Part of the network of facilities working to create viable end markets for agricultural film plastics.
• NextCycle MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNextCycle Michigan is a state program accelerating recycling and organics projects in the public and private sectors. MRC supports the program as contractors, current teams, and alumni. MRC promotes NCMI to members and engages them in the program's benefits. MRC hosts regional NextCycle workshops.
• Governor's Recycling CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRC serves as an appointed member of the Governor's Recycling Council, which provides recommendations on recycling policy to state leadership. The Council informed the development of proposed changes to Part 115 solid waste law.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Indiana Recycling Coalition: An Indiana-based nonprofit promoting sustainable materials management through education, advocacy, and member services. Directly comparable as a Midwestern state-level recycling coalition with similar membership and conference programming.
• Pennsylvania Recycling Coalition: A Pennsylvania-based nonprofit coalition focused on recycling advocacy, education, and policy. Highly comparable as a state-level recycling coalition with membership model, annual conference, and policy advocacy focus similar to MRC's structure.
• Illinois Recycling Association: An Illinois-based nonprofit focused on recycling education, policy, and member services. Comparable state-level recycling coalition serving Midwestern stakeholders with similar conference and advocacy programming.
• Wisconsin Recycling Association: A Wisconsin-based nonprofit advancing recycling and waste reduction through education, conferences, and advocacy. Directly comparable as a state-level recycling coalition in the same Midwest region with similar mission and member-based operations.
• Ohio Recycling Coalition: An Ohio-based nonprofit coalition advancing recycling through education, policy advocacy, and member engagement. Directly comparable as a neighboring Midwestern state recycling coalition with similar program structure and advocacy focus.

Regional players

• U.S. Composting Council: The national composting industry organization of which MRC's Michigan Organics Council is the charter state chapter. Comparable through its organics/composting focus and state chapter model, though operating at the national level.

Broad incumbents

• Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI): The national trade association representing the recycling industry, including scrap recyclers and material recovery facilities. Comparable as a recycling industry advocacy and member organization, though focused on commercial scrap recyclers rather than community/municipal programs.
• The Recycling Partnership: A national nonprofit working with states, communities, and brands to improve recycling. Comparable as a recycling-focused nonprofit providing education, grants, and infrastructure support, but operating nationally with corporate partnerships and significant grant funding.
• National Recycling Coalition: The national-level recycling advocacy organization providing policy representation, education, and industry resources across all states. Comparable as a broader recycling advocacy entity, though operating at national rather than state level.
• Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA): An international professional association for solid waste management professionals. Comparable through its focus on waste management education, training, and policy, though broader in scope and serving solid waste professionals rather than recycling-focused nonprofits.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/michiganrecycles.bsky.social
• Facebookfacebook.com/MichiganRecyclingCoalition
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/michigan-recycling-coalition
• Instagraminstagram.com/recyclemichigan/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Michigan Recycling Coalition