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Atlas Games NewsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Replay Workshop Wins $100k Grant for Environmental EffortsDULUTH, MN -- March 27, 2025 -- It took a forklift to move the pallet loaded with machinery that arrived at Atlas Games' warehouse this month. The new equipment delivered for Replay Workshop is an "Extruder XL" funded by a $100k grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
"It's a big addition to our workshop," said Atlas Games co-owner Michelle Nephew. "And way beyond anything we could have scaled up to on our own so fast. We've already invested in a building and hired staff, after all."
MPCA announced the grant award at the end of last year, but it took months to have Replay Workshop's new Extruder XL custom-built by manufacturer Polyvora in Idaho. "It can process a whopping 65lbs of plastic per hour," explains co-owner John Nephew. "That will go a long way toward helping Replay Workshop meet its grant goal of processing 50 tons of recycled plastic in the next year."
The extruder is just one of the upgrades the grant is funding. Another is a handheld near-infrared scanning device for identifying plastic types. Meanwhile, Atlas Games is committed to matching the grant with another $20k. Much of that will be in the form of wages for Replay Workshop's staff, which has also expanded because of the grant.
Atlas Games' grant was one of 11 awarded by the MPCA in the same round of funding. Grants totaled $5.3 million for projects that will "build lasting capacity to support recycling markets in Minnesota. These efforts make recycled materials more valuable, keep recyclable materials out of the waste stream, and create jobs in Minnesota," says the MPCA.
In Atlas Games' case, the grant is funding equipment and staff to increase Atlas Games' plastic recycling capacity. This is plastic we divert from our local landfill, shred up ourselves, then re-make into game accessories for our Replay Workshop line, or else sell to crafters and small business ventures in smaller quantities than what's available now. "There's actually a hole in the maker market when it comes to recycled plastic raw material. You can buy literal tons of it, but you can't buy 5 lbs of it," notes Atlas Games co-owner John Nephew. "That's tough for startups and hobbyists. So we're filling that gap, with the help of this grant."
Another source of plastic for Replay Workshop is its new sprues recycling program, which partners with game stores to collect sprues and plastic miniatures from customers, and then remakes them into Replay Workshop products. That launched a few weeks ago, and has already expanded to welcome contributions from individuals.
Replay Workshop products are already available via distribution into hobby game stores worldwide. They're also available now in our webstore, and include dice, condition markers, minis bases, and soon terrain tiles. With the help of our grant, the Replay Workshop line will expand significantly this year, as well, with monthly releases of new products.
Thank you for helping us help the earth!
About Replay Workshop
Replay
Workshop is Atlas Games' line of recycled game accessories. Our focus
is on crafting quality game components from local plastic waste,
diverted from our regional landfill.
About Atlas Games
At
Atlas Games, our passion is offering exceptional games to the world.
Our first release was in 1990, making us one of the most reliable hobby
game publishers in business, too. Atlas Games is committed to
sustainability and has a long history of environmental stewardship.
Resources
Read the full MPCA grants announcement: www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/mpca-grants-grow-recycling-markets-in-minnesotaLearn more about Replay Workshop: atlas-games.com/replay/aboutFind out about our sprues collection program: atlas-games.com/spruesSupport our efforts by buying Replay Workshop products: atlas-games.com/replaySee the specs for Polyvora's Extruder XL: polyvora.io/products/extruder-xl
Contact:
John NephewPresident, Atlas Gamesreplay@atlas-games.com
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