13 innovative compostable packaging startups (2024)

Top compostable packaging startups

Complete list of the most compostable packaging startups that are worth knowing:

FoodGrade Packaging

Serving a diverse global customer base in the food and beverage industry, the company holds various industry certifications and is known for its commitment to food safety and quality. 

Canapack

Canapack is a specialty packaging company that focuses on creating sustainable and innovative solutions for the legal cannabis industry. The company produces a range of custom packaging options, including child-resistant containers, smell-proof bags, and tamper-evident labels, using eco-friendly materials such as recycled plastics, compostable papers, and biodegradable films.

Canapack is committed to minimizing the environmental impact of its products and holds certifications from organizations like the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and the Cannabis Packaging Association. 

Coffeefrom

Coffeefrom is a social enterprise startup founded in 2022. Their mission is to create new products and materials by giving a second life to used coffee grounds from the food industry, following a circular economy approach. They combine used coffee grounds with elements like biopolymers to create various materials with properties like high biodegradability or strong heat resistance.

This translates to applications in packaging, automotive parts, and more. But Coffeefrom goes beyond environmental impact. They’re socially conscious, creating jobs for people with disabilities throughout their supply chain, from processing coffee grounds to logistics. They even collaborate with other social enterprises for packaging.

TerraSafe Materials

TerraSafe Materials is a material science company on a mission to replace traditional plastic packaging with sustainable alternatives. They develop biopolymer compounds derived from natural resources, specifically targeting the food service and retail food packaging industries. Their approach involves licensing intellectual property from multiple universities to create novel materials that reduce plastic waste.

TerraSafe Materials is backed by Big Idea Ventures’ Generation Food Rural Partners fund, and they’re currently working towards a proof-of-concept product launch.

HumusPak

HumusPak is revolutionizing packaging with its home-compostable protective solutions. HumusPak focuses directly on small businesses, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic packaging. Their products are not only protective but also designed to decompose completely in a compost bin, leaving no harmful residues behind. This focus on zero-waste aligns with the growing demand for eco-friendly solutions from both consumers and businesses.

HumusPak positions itself for future expansion into the industrial market, leveraging online platforms to raise customer awareness and establish itself as a leader in the compostable packaging space.

Source Green

Source Green works on the plastic waste crisis head-on by acting as a one-stop shop for sustainable packaging solutions. This online marketplace connects businesses with a diverse range of earth-friendly packaging options. They source only 100% biobased and compostable materials, ensuring everything breaks down naturally after use.

Unlike some competitors, Source Green prioritizes complete transparency, vowing to eliminate “forever plastics,” toxins, and greenwashing practices from their platform. Their mission is to make sustainable sourcing not just possible, but convenient and accessible for brands of all sizes.

Papair

Papair is a German company founded in 2020 that offers an eco-friendly alternative to bubble wrap. Their main product, PapairWrap, is made entirely out of paper and uses no plastic or adhesives. This makes it fully recyclable and biodegradable. PapairWrap is designed to be just as secure as traditional bubble wrap for protecting items during shipping and storage.

The company is partnered with Harbour Investment Holding to increase production and develop new sustainable packaging solutions.

Craste

Craste is a startup working on environmental issues by creating sustainable products from crop waste. They address the major problem of crop residue burning, which pollutes the air, by collecting the leftover stubble after harvest. This waste is then transformed into eco-friendly packaging materials and furniture components.

By creating a market for crop residue, Craste provides farmers with additional income and reduces air pollution. Their mission is to promote responsible resource use and offer businesses a plastic-free alternative for packaging.

SwapBox

SwapBox is focused on revolutionizing package delivery in the face of booming online shopping. Their target market is likely consumers who live in urban areas and might face challenges receiving deliveries due to security concerns or busy lifestyles.

While details of their specific service are unavailable, SwapBox likely offers a solution centered around secure lockers or pick-up/drop-off points where customers can conveniently receive and return packages. This could potentially integrate with existing delivery networks, aiming to streamline the last-mile delivery process for both consumers and businesses.

Notpla

Notpla is a frontrunner in the fight against plastic pollution. This innovative company develops sustainable packaging solutions made entirely from seaweed and plants. Their unique materials are completely home-compostable and biodegrade naturally, unlike traditional plastic packaging that lingers in landfills and oceans.

Notpla boasts a growing portfolio of products, including edible water pods called “Ooho” and greaseproof coatings for takeaway containers. By partnering with major brands, they’re aiming to revolutionize various industries and significantly reduce plastic waste.

LOLIWARE

LOLIWARE tackles plastic pollution by creating a new wave of disposable tableware. Their innovative approach utilizes seaweed, a readily available ocean resource, to craft edible and completely compostable cups, straws, and potentially other food containers. This plant-based alternative offers a sustainable solution compared to traditional plastic options that harm the environment.

LOLIWARE targets environmentally conscious consumers and businesses seeking to reduce their plastic footprint. Their mission is to replace single-use plastics with ocean-friendly, hyper-compostable alternatives, promoting a healthier planet.

AEROPOWDER

AEROPOWDER is dedicated to transforming waste into sustainable materials. Their innovative technology converts feathers, a byproduct of the poultry industry, into a versatile and biodegradable material called AEROPOWDER®. This unique material possesses exceptional thermal insulation properties, making it ideal for various applications such as packaging, textiles, and construction.

Their commitment to circular economy principles and innovative solutions exemplifies their dedication to creating a more environmentally friendly future.

LivingPackets

LivingPackets is aiming to revolutionize e-commerce deliveries with a sustainable twist. Their flagship product, “THE BOX,” is a reusable, smart packaging solution that eliminates the environmental burden of traditional cardboard boxes.  This high-tech box boasts features like real-time tracking, temperature, and shock sensors, and can be reused up to a thousand times.

LivingPackets targets both e-commerce businesses and environmentally conscious consumers by offering a secure, eco-friendly alternative to the massive amount of single-use packaging generated by online shopping.

Conclusion

By investing in research and development, building strong partnerships, and advocating for systemic change, compostable packaging startups have the potential to revolutionize the packaging industry and contribute to a more sustainable future. As they continue to innovate and grow, these startups will play a vital role in reducing our reliance on single-use plastics and moving towards a circular economy that prioritizes the health of our planet.