Greenshoot Materials creates compostable, non-toxic cellulose-based coatings that match the performance of plastic in food packaging. Compatible with existing manufacturing, the technology offers a scalable, drop-in solution to reduce plastic waste, enable composting, and meet the rising regulatory and consumer demands for sustainable packaging.
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Monika Bleszynski
Monika Bleszynski is the founder and CEO of Greenshoot Materials, a sustainable packaging company developing compostable, non-toxic, cellulose-based coatings designed to replace plastic in food packaging. She holds a Ph.D. in materials science from the University of Denver, where she specialized in polymer materials. Bleszynski combines deep technical expertise with entrepreneurial drive to advance scalable, high-impact solutions to plastic pollution.
TECHNOLOGY
Critical Need
The food packaging industry generates massive amounts of non-recyclable plastic waste, much of which ends up polluting land and water. Existing compostable alternatives often underperform or contain toxic additives. Greenshoot Materials is addressing this gap by creating high-performance, compostable, and non-toxic cellulose-based coatings that replace plastic in food packaging. The company’s materials work with existing manufacturing systems and meet the performance needs of real-world applications, offering a scalable, sustainable solution aligned with regulatory demands and consumer expectations.
Technology Vision
Greenshoot Materials is developing engineered cellulose-based barrier coatings that provide moisture, oil, and oxygen resistance comparable to plastic, without relying on PFAS, synthetic polymers, or toxic additives. These coatings are compostable, food-safe, and designed to integrate seamlessly with existing fiber packaging formats and industrial application methods. By tailoring polymer morphology and interfacial adhesion to paper substrates, the technology delivers durable, high-performance protection while enabling end-of-life compostability. This innovation offers a scalable, drop-in alternative to plastic in food packaging, addressing both regulatory pressure and market demand for safer, sustainable materials.
Potential for Impact
At scale, Greenshoot Materials’ technology can eliminate millions of tons of single-use plastic from the food packaging supply chain each year. By replacing non-recyclable plastics with compostable, non-toxic coatings, this innovation can reduce landfill waste, plastic pollution, and chemical exposure for consumers. It will also enable more food-soiled packaging to enter composting streams, improving organic waste recovery and soil health. In a best-case scenario, Greenshoot’s materials will become the industry standard for sustainable packaging, accelerating the transition to a circular economy and helping meet global climate and waste reduction goals.
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Greenshoot Materials