Sustainability in Action: How Mr. Chain Reduces Waste and Creates Eco-Friendly Safety Solutions

At Mr. Chain, sustainability isn’t a buzzword — it’s a core part of how we operate. For decades, we’ve worked to minimize waste, conserve resources, and manufacture visual barrier solutions that support safer, cleaner environments. From recycling water to reprocessing materials to developing plant-based products, our commitment to responsible manufacturing runs throughout our Copemish, Michigan, facility.

While Earth Day serves as an annual reminder to care for the planet, our efforts don’t begin or end in April. Sustainable manufacturing is an all-year commitment — strengthened by innovation, process improvements, and our newest breakthrough: the EarthMade® biodegradable chain line.

Here’s how Mr. Chain is advancing sustainability in the visual barrier industry.

1. Recycling Chilled Water to Reduce Waste

Water plays an essential role in cooling extruded materials during manufacturing. Instead of continuously drawing new water, our facility uses a closed-loop system that recycles chilled water throughout production.

This significantly reduces overall water consumption and ensures we’re using resources efficiently — without compromising product quality.

2. Regrinding and Reprocessing Plastic to Minimize Landfill Impact

During manufacturing, excess material such as startup scrap or trimmed pieces is inevitable. Rather than discard it, we collect, regrind, and reprocess this material so it can be used again in production.

The benefits are substantial:

• Less waste sent to landfills
• Reduced need for new raw materials
• Increased material efficiency across the board

This long-standing practice helps ensure we produce as little waste as possible.

3. Recyclable Products for Long-Term Use

Every product manufactured at Mr. Chain is fully recyclable.

Unlike single-use visual barriers — such as caution tape or disposable materials — our plastic chain is designed for long-term durability and repeated use. It provides a sustainable, reusable solution for:

• Crowd control
• Industrial facilities
• Campus safety
• Event management
• Parking and traffic organization

When its lifespan eventually ends, the material can be recycled, supporting a circular approach to resource use.

4. EarthMade®: A Breakthrough in Biodegradable Visual Barriers

One of our most exciting sustainability milestones is EarthMade, a line of biodegradable plastic chain made from plant-based PolyEarthylene™ resin.

What Makes EarthMade® Different

• Made from renewable, plant-based materials
• Fully biodegradable, breaking down in under five years
• Strong, durable, and highly visible
• Offered in eight of our most popular colors
• Designed for indoor and outdoor use

EarthMade provides a practical, eco-conscious alternative for customers who want biodegradable options without sacrificing strength or performance.

Our traditional chain remains a reusable, recyclable, long-lasting solution. EarthMade simply expands our sustainable offerings for organizations seeking plant-based, biodegradable materials.

5. Proudly Made in the USA

Every link of our plastic chain is manufactured at our facility in Copemish, Michigan. Domestic production supports American jobs, helps reduce emissions associated with long-distance shipping, and ensures consistent quality and sustainability standards.

Local manufacturing also allows us to closely monitor every step of production — from raw materials to finished goods — ensuring efficiency, safety, and environmental responsibility.

6. Sustainable Safety Without Compromise

Whether you choose our durable, recyclable plastic chain or our plant-based EarthMade line, every product reflects our ongoing commitment to:

• Minimizing waste
• Conserving resources
• Producing long-lasting, reusable visual barriers
• Supporting environmentally responsible manufacturing practices

Sustainability and safety go hand-in-hand — and we’re proud to keep advancing both.

Join Us in Making Safety More Sustainable

Small changes lead to meaningful impact. By choosing eco-friendly visual barrier solutions, you help reduce waste, support responsible manufacturing, and create safer spaces for everyone.

Explore EarthMade® — Mr. Chain’s Biodegradable Safety Chain