New Recycling Program Hits Mankato Area to Recycle Away From Home

The Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) has teamed up with MRCI to start one of the most progressive recycling programs in Minnesota.

“We are trying to do something a bit different locally and hopefully expand the concept state-wide” Ellen Telander, Executive Director of RAM says. “Our focus will be to recycle bottles and cans from away from home locations using some very eye-catching containers that look like giant soda bottles.”

Most Minnesotans recycle at home, but studies show that recycling rates decrease dramatically when people are away from home. Whether that trend is because people don’t know where they can recycle, or because there aren’t any recycling containers convenient to them, the Message in a Bottle™ campaign will address both issues.

“This program provides an opportunity for people to recycle while on the go,” states Bonnie Barrer, Director of Sales and Operations of Pepsi-Cola Mankato, Inc.

The Message in a Bottle™ recycling program offers participating businesses free, recognizable recycling containers. Pick up service, through MRCI, is also free. The service is currently available for businesses located in Blue Earth County.

The recycling program provides meaningful work opportunities for individuals that receive services through MRCI. It’s a program that offers work in the community and a chance to make it a better place to live. The recycling program provides innovative vocational opportunities and a way for individuals to give back. You get to recycle a bottle or can and MRCI finds someone a job. We all win.

The program will first begin with several convenience stores in the Mankato area. “We hope to include car wash facilities, laundry facilities, parks and also several special events in the near future to collect beverage containers for recycling,” states Ellen Telander. The program also offers business shrink wrap recycling and retail bag recycling services. This material is recycled and made into composite decking material for homes.

The kick off for the program is on May 15th and there are two public events. Free giveaways and educational materials about recycling and a coupon for a free Pepsi product will be given to anyone “caught recycling” at the event (while supplies last):
• 10:00 am Kwik Trip on Madison Avenue – Mankato, MN
• 1:00 pm Holiday on Adams Avenue – Mankato, MN

Contact RAM to sign up your business or to learn more about the recycling program at 651-641-4560 or by email at [email protected].

The Message in a Bottle™ recycling program partners include the Minnesota Beverage Association, Blue Earth County Environmental Services, MRCI, The Recycling Association of Minnesota, Pepsi-Cola of Mankato, www.recycleMOREminnesota.org, LJP Waste and Recycling and Radio Mankato.