GreenCycle
Biodegradable e-commerce packaging that disappears in 6 months
GreenCycle makes packaging for e-commerce brands that holds up to 50kg, costs within 15% of traditional plastic at scale, and fully decomposes in under six months. We have 15 DTC brands in active pilots, two letters of intent from mid-tier retail partners, and full ASTM D6400 compostability certification received October 2024.
E-commerce generates 165 billion packages annually worldwide. Most conventional packaging ends up in landfill and takes 20–500 years to break down. Existing sustainable alternatives cost 30–80% more than plastic, lack durability, or can't scale to retailer volumes.
Three years of R&D produced a bio-polymer that is compostable, commercially durable, and manufacturable at scale. The same box your customer receives today — but it turns into compost in six months.
"What would you still be building if you knew it would take 10 years?"
Climate solutions always take longer than you think. But we're not building a startup — we're trying to make sustainable packaging the default option, not the premium one. That goal is worth ten years.
— Emma Wilson, CEO
GreenCycle's bio-polymer material was developed over three years of materials science research at MIT. It passes ASTM D6400 compostability standards and withstands a 50kg dynamic load. At 100,000 units per month, our cost of goods is estimated at $0.12 per unit — within 15% of standard LDPE plastic.
15 DTC brands in active paid pilots. 99% pilot satisfaction. Zero customer churn from pilots. Two letters of intent pending from retail partners (~400k units/year combined). ASTM D6400 certification received October 2024.
Criteria used by early-stage investors (YC, Sequoia seed, BDC Capital) to evaluate pre-seed companies.
| Criterion | Status | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM D6400 certification | ✓ | ✓ Received | Oct 2024, US + Canada |
| Pilot satisfaction | ✓ | 99% | Across 15 active pilots |
| Patents filed | ✓ | 15 filed | Not yet granted |
| Revenue / MRR | ✗ | $0 | Pre-revenue; pilots not yet paid |
| Lead investor | ✗ | None yet | Seeking lead for this round |
| Runway | ~ | 11 months | Tight; raise is time-sensitive |
Tap any milestone to see details.
A mid-tier Canadian retailer has issued a Letter of Intent for ~200,000 units/year pending pilot extension.
Our material now holds official US and Canadian compostability certification.
"Explain your startup like I'm 12"
You know how a banana peel turns into dirt in a few weeks? We make boxes that do the same thing. Same strength as your regular Amazon box. But instead of sitting in a garbage pile for fifty years, it just disappears.
— Lisa Zhang, Head of R&D