Recycling Market Development

Helping Minnesota businesses manufacture with recycled materials

The Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance (OEA) is a state agency that assists the public in managing and reducing waste to protect Minnesota's natural resources. One of the OEA's programs, Recycling Market Development, has helped Minnesota businesses create recycling manufacturing jobs and recycled-content products for over ten years.

Minnesota's recycling manufacturing industry is recognized as a national leader. From 1996 to 1997, this industry employed over 8,700 people and generated nearly $1.5 billion in sales. These companies are making quality products using materials that otherwise would have been landfilled or incinerated. By using recycled materials, these businesses increase profits, develop new products, improve their company image, and reduce waste in Minnesota.

Recycling Market Development Recyclables collected from residents and businesses are sold to companies that use them as raw materials to make products which are sold to consumers.

Free services

The market development staff at OEA maintains recycling industry expertise and a network of contacts that serve businesses, government and non-profit organizations. Market development specialists provide information through fact sheets, directories, reports, conferences, presentations, and on-site visits.

Featured assistance

• Information on recyclable materials, including glass, plastic, paint, construction-related products, metals, paper and wood wastes.
• Research into recycling market conditions, manufacturing technology, and product testing. Listings of recyclers, material processors, and product manufacturers.
• Data on products made from recycled materials.
• Referrals for financing, business plan development, and facility siting.
• Minnesota recycling legislation and policy information.

Financial assistance

Since 1988, the OEA has awarded nearly $4 million to businesses and other organizations. Over 50 projects have developed new recycled content products and markets. Funded projects have:

• Increased processing and manufacturing capacity for waste paper and plastics.
• Created products and uses for plastics and glass.
• Increased recovery of hazardous materials, such as mercury from fluorescent lamps.

Grant awards

• Recipients can apply for funding up to $75,000, and must provide a dollar-for-dollar match or in-kind donation.
• Each year the OEA awards a total of $1 million through this competitive grants program.
• Eligible projects are those which will develop or expand the use of recycled materials in manufacturing and stimulate demand for recycled-content products.
• The OEA establishes priorities for funding and announces the funds available in a formal Request for Proposal (RFP), usually by July of each year. Grant proposals are accepted by the OEA between July and October of each year, with awards announced in the spring of the following year.
• Separate grant funds are set aside for innovative projects that cannot, because of time constraints, be funded under the annual competitive grant round. These time sensitive grant requests must total less than $10,000. Applications are taken year-round. For more information, or to request a copy of the current Request for Proposal, please contact the OEA at 800-657-3843. The most recent RFP will also be available on the OEA's Web site.

Success story: Ladtech, Inc. Ladtech, Inc. is a Minnesota manufacturer of manhole adjusting rings made from recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Grant funding and assistance from the OEA helped this company: Locate a contract manufacturer and a supplier of recycled feedstock material. Purchase product molds. Develop markets for their products. Find assistance for developing a business plan.

Publications and general information

The OEA has created many resources that businesses can use to develop markets for recycled materials. In addition to documents, the OEA Web site – www.moea.state.mn– contains information on services provided by OEA, including grants and loans, market development, and general recycling and waste prevention assistance.

Directories and guides

• Minnesota Recycling Directory lists recyclers, end-markets and material specifications around Minnesota.
• Minnesota Recycled Product Directory provides information on Minnesota manufacturers of products made from recycled content materials, including distributors and retailers.
• A Business Guide to Recycling Market Development lists and describes sources of financial and technical assistance available to Minnesota businesses working with recyclable materials, as well as information to guide a new business, such as "How to Develop Markets."

Reports

• Minnesota's Value-Added Recycling Manufacturing Industries: An Economic and Environmental Profile discusses the economic and environmental impacts that recycling manufacturing companies have on the state of Minnesota.

Industry input

Advisory groups – representing manufacturers, recyclers and waste manag– help the OEA shape its market development program. The OEA seeks input on market conditions for recyclable materials, product innovations, and other specific industry needs.

For more information

For general information on the OEA's market development program, call Wayne Gjerde at the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance at 651-296-3417 or 800-657-3843 toll free.

Last update May 2001