Sustainable Packaging Accelerator
Using innovation to tackle packaging waste in Michigan and Ohio.
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The NextCycle Sustainable Packaging Accelerator supports the development of innovative packaging solutions that reflect core attributes of:
Circular Design
designed for reuse, recyclability, or compostability
Waste into Value
leverages renewable or recycled content
Smart Technologies
integrates AI-driven solutions to enhance recovery rates
Community Benefits
provides tangible benefits for regional economies and ecosystems
The Program
The NextCycle Sustainable Packaging Accelerator is a six-month program that advances projects toward implementation by providing support in the form of business planning, technical guidance, funding pathway identification, partner connection, and pitch development.
Eight (8) projects impacting Michigan or Ohio will be selected to participate in the 2025 program. The program is free to those selected and does not require equity share. Teams are asked to commit the time to fully participate in the two in-person events, multiple virtual coaching sessions, and offline individual efforts to build the projects.
Projects can be focused on novel technologies, recyclable or reusable systems, waste-minimizing designs, bio-based alternatives, or other solutions that increase efficiency and recyclability of packaging used in the transport, distribution, storage, sale, or use of goods.
Eligible Entities
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Startups
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Entrepreneurs
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Businesses
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Institutions
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Nonprofit Institutions
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Collaboration of Entities Listed Here
Meet the Teams
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Enspired Solutions, a water treatment company based in the Midwest, is partnering with SHAPE to redesign the packaging for its PFAS treatment products. The project, Reagent Packaging Redesign, aims to develop a more sustainable and safer alternative to the current multi-material packaging that is non-recyclable and poses inhalation risks. By exploring options like soluble casings or compressed powder pucks, Enspired seeks to minimize waste, protect user health, and enhance the overall environmental performance of its PFAS remediation solutions—advancing SHAPE’s goals of sustainable packaging innovation in the region.
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Papair GmbH, a German startup specializing in sustainable packaging, is partnering with SHAPE to introduce Papair – Bubble Wrap Made of Paper to the U.S. market. This recyclable, fiber-based alternative to plastic bubble wrap offers superior cushioning and lower costs while integrating seamlessly into existing recycling systems. Through the SHAPE accelerator, Papair aims to establish local partnerships and production in Michigan and Ohio—key regions with strong logistics infrastructure—to reduce emissions, support material recovery, and advance circular economy goals in North America.
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Plastilene Inc., an Ohio-based flexible packaging company, is partnering with SHAPE to develop a Monomaterial PE Tray for Fresh Cut Sweet Corn. In collaboration with Caruso USA, this project aims to replace EPS trays and PVC films—soon to be banned in several states—with an all-polyethylene, recyclable packaging solution. The tray and film system is designed to be PFAS-free, incorporate post-consumer recycled content, and serve as a drop-in replacement in existing supply chains.
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Rego, a waste tech startup, is partnering with SHAPE to develop and deploy its AI-Powered Waste Auditing for Material Recovery platform. By combining AI with crowd-sourced imaging, Rego aims to generate detailed, actionable waste data beyond traditional metrics like tonnage and recycling rates. This technology will help identify recoverable materials more accurately, reduce landfill and incineration rates, and support emissions reduction.
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SmartSeal USA / Ecourage, a Norwegian-founded startup, is planning to launch Ecourage Refill Machines—a patented, closed-fill system for liquid product refills that reduces plastic use by over 95%. With successful trials in Europe and Asia, Ecourage is now expanding into North America, aiming to establish operations in Michigan. Their hygienic, user-friendly technology supports sustainable packaging and carbon reduction goals, aligning with SHAPE’s mission to scale refill and reuse innovation across the region.
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Sun Sugar Farms, LLC, an Ohio-based organic farm and packaging innovator, is aiming to scale its Cost-Effective Sustainable Produce Containers. In response to the recycling challenges of PET clamshells, Sun Sugar developed a fiber-based, compostable alternative that has already replaced nearly 4 million plastic containers across North America. By offering a recyclable and biodegradable solution for fresh produce, the company aims to reduce landfill waste and establish a new industry standard, which will advance sustainable packaging and circular innovation in Ohio and Michigan.
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Takeout Takeout, a Lansing, Michigan-based reverse logistics company, is working to pilot Closed Loop Reusable Takeout Containers. Addressing the region’s lack of large-scale reuse infrastructure, their project focuses on creating closed-loop systems with improved tracking and customer engagement to prevent reusable containers from being lost. By collaborating with local businesses and communities, Takeout Takeout aims to reduce single-use waste and build a sustainable reuse model that can be scaled to other areas in Michigan.
Program Benefits
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This in-person workshop jumpstarts the program with workshop sessions focused on developing project and business plans, identifying funding and investment opportunities, leveraging partnerships, developing pitches, and networking with cohort peers and industry experts. Travel and attendance costs are supported by the program.
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Teams will have access to leading subject matter experts who can provide guidance in business and project planning, offer insights on the packaging recycling landscape and end markets in Michigan and Ohio, and facilitate connections in the packaging supply network. Most mentorship occurs through virtual meetings.
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Consulting services with specific task outcomes will be available from expert-in-residence packaging experts, economists, operators, engineers, researchers, communication specialists, and government representatives. Most coaching occurs through virtual meetings.
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Although the program does not provide direct funding for projects, teams will receive support to identify a range of funding options and prepare a successful pitch to pursue those funding opportunities.
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Teams will pitch their projects at the one-day, in-person Pitch Showcase, highlighting their solutions to potential funders, investors, and partners. Travel and attendance costs are supported by the program.
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Teams are promoted through press releases, social media, published articles, webinars, the NextCycle website, showcases, and public presentations.
Program Timeline
June 10-11, 2025
Accelerator Academy
(in-person event)
February 17-March 31, 2025:
Application Period
April 2025
Team Selection Notification
May 2025
Team Onboarding
June-October 2025
One-on-one coaching and planning (virtual)
October 2025
Showcase
(1-day, in-person event)
November 2025
Team Offboarding
How to Apply
The application period is now closed.
Watch for program updates, including information on the Pitch Showcase planned for October 2025.
Download Application Packet (PDF)
APPLICATION PORTAL IS NOW CLOSED
NextCycle provides opportunities for potential teams to ask questions about the program and get support during the application process.
VIDEO
Watch the 12-minute video explaining the “why” and “what” of the accelerator program.
Virtual Meeting
Set up a one-on-one virtual meeting with one of our program facilitators to ask questions specific to your project.
Questions can be sent to our team via email at NextCycle-SHAPE@recycle.com
Why Packaging?
The Problem
The US EPA estimates containers and packaging made up 82.2 million tons of municipal solid waste in the country in 2018. What happened after the consumer opened the packaging? Approximately 54% was recycled, 9% was sent to combustion or energy recovery facilities, and 37% was sent to landfills.
Although our recycling rate of packaging continues to slowly improve, we are generating more packaging waste each year. Poor product design and weak recycling infrastructure send packaging waste to landfills, or worse yet, litters our land and pollutes our water and air.
The Solution
Sustainable packaging supports a closed-loop, circular system, keeping valuable materials out of landfills, minimizing environmental impact, and maximizing societal benefit.
Innovative solutions incorporate recycled content, responsibly sourced or renewable feedstocks, clear end-of-life labeling, reuse or refill models, expanded recycling or composting infrastructure, or improved access to material collection systems.
Program Partners
NextCycle is a circular economy development program led by Resource Recycling Systems (RRS). The program supports business models that prioritize the prevention, reuse, rescue, repair, recycling, composting, and recovery of materials that would otherwise be landfilled or incinerated. By fostering innovative solutions, NextCycle accelerates the transition toward a more sustainable and circular economy.
The Sustainability Hub for an Alternative Packaging Ecosystem (SHAPE) is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the prestigious Engines Development Grant. SHAPE is driven by a coalition of leading organizations, including the Michigan State University Research Foundation, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, Resource Recycling Systems (NextCycle), and Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), along with a broad network of collaborators. Together, these partners advance innovation to tackle packaging waste and support sustainable solutions in the Michigan and Ohio Region.
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories. NSF was established in 1950 by Congress to promote the progress of science, advance national health, prosperity and welfare, and secure national defense. SHAPE is powered by the NSF Engines Development Award (Award ID 2314459): Advancing a sustainable alternative packaging ecosystem in the Great Lakes Region (MI, OH).
