Minnesota’s First Plastic Recycling Plant Already In Trouble
Minnesota’s first plastic recycling plant faces challenges just two months after opening. Can they turn things around? 🌱 #Recycling #Sustainability #Minnesota
Rogers, Minnesota – Just two months after its grand opening, Minnesota’s first plastic film recycling facility in Rogers is facing challenges. The $30 million center, which was bustling with machinery and employees in December, now sits quiet. The parking lot is empty, the lights are off, and only a few employees remain.
The facility was supposed to be a big deal, with CEOs from major Minnesota companies like General Mills and Schwan’s celebrating its launch. They hoped it would be a 24/7 operation with 70 employees. But now, the company is looking at making changes to get things back on track.
The idea was to create a circular economy for plastic films, turning old plastic bags and wraps into new products. This would help reduce waste and give new life to hard-to-recycle plastics. Companies like General Mills, Schwan’s, and even Target supported the project, hoping to use more recycled plastic in their products.
However, the demand for recycled plastic hasn’t been as high as expected. The recycling process needs everyone to work together, from the companies that make the plastic to those that use it. But so far, that collaboration hasn’t been enough to keep the recycling center busy.
The people behind the project are still hopeful. They’re talking to their partners and looking for ways to get things going again. But for now, the future of Minnesota’s first plastic film recycling facility is uncertain.
🗣 What do you think about this article? Let us know in the comments below. ⬇️
I haven’t heard enough about the process of recycling plastic or what or what that entails. I would also be interested in knowing what you could use that recycled plastic for (:)besides crocheting purses and rugs with plastic bags). A well written article.
I know, you are the reporters, and that is important. It is a shame that, for all the grandiose support that the plastics recycler received at first, that it ceased to keep that support. Or, was it really there to begin with? Perhaps we need to learn to burn the stuff for fuel, in a clean way.
This story is grossly incomplete. What was the end product, what was the source? Why did they put in $30 million without a real plan. How do they fail in 2 short months.
Hey James: Thanks for reading and commenting. Hope you have a super day! 🙂 – Jack and Kitty
Hi Steve – Yes, you raise some REALLY good questions and considerations! Thx for reading and for the feedback. Have a super day! – Jack and Kitty
Hi Jordan! Thanks for the comments – that’s a great point! We’ll have to explore that in a future article. Thanks so much for reading. Hope you have a super day!! 🙂 – Jack and Kitty