DTE Energy and NextCycle Michigan team up to spark fresh ideas in recycling

DTE Energy Innovation Challenge offers two $9,000 prizes to teams who develop new ways to recycle, upcycle or reuse wind turbine blades or wood chips

DETROIT, Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing history as a driver of innovation and steward of the environment, DTE Energy has partnered with NextCycle Michigan to sponsor a pitch competition to find smart, creative ways to reuse materials like wood chips and wind turbine blades and help push the energy industry toward a more sustainable future.

"We're always looking for ways to cut down on waste –it benefits the planet, it benefits the communities we serve, and it benefits our business. It's a true win, win, win," said Shawn Patterson, vice president, Environmental Management and Safety at DTE Energy. "This challenge is about finding practical, scalable ideas that give leftover materials a second life. We know Michigan is full of innovators, and we can't wait to see what they come up with." 

The DTE Energy Innovation Challenge offers two $9,000 prizes to teams who develop new ways to recycle, upcycle – the creative reuse of waste materials into new products – or reuse wood chips or wind turbine blades. The pitches will be judged on the opportunity to scale the solution across Michigan while maintaining a low environmental footprint. Interested entities can submit applications through the NextCycle Michigan website (nextcyclemichigan.com/apply) through Oct. 29, 2025. Team selection will take place in December 2025.

"Recycling plays a vital role in Michigan's economy – it supports tens of thousands of jobs, reduces waste, and keeps valuable materials in circulation," said Phil Roos, director of Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Director. "DTE's investment in innovative solutions through the NextCycle Michigan program helps accelerate a circular economy, spark new business opportunities and ensure renewable energy materials are managed responsibly from start to finish."

NextCycle Michigan is an initiative led by EGLE, facilitated by Resource Recycling Systems Inc. (RRS), with support from Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University and the Michigan Recycling Coalition. The program helps businesses, organizations and communities turn recycling and reuse ideas into real projects and businesses by offering technical guidance, connections and support to find funding.

The DTE Energy Innovation Challenge will be part of the NextCycle Michigan 2026 cohort, which is seeking projects across a number of areas in the categories of recycling technologies and organic solutions. Selected teams will participate in a six-month project accelerator, kicking off with a two-day academy in February 2026 and culminating in a pitch competition in June 2026.

For more information on the challenge, visit nextcyclemichigan.com.

About DTE Energy

DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric company serving 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan and a natural gas company serving 1.3 million customers across Michigan. The DTE portfolio also includes energy businesses focused on custom energy solutions, renewable energy generation, and energy marketing and trading. DTE has continued to accelerate its carbon reduction goals to meet aggressive targets and is committed to serving with its energy through volunteerism, education and employment initiatives, philanthropy, emission reductions and economic progress. Information about DTE is available at dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com, x.com/DTE Energy and facebook.com/dteenergy.

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SOURCE DTE Energy