#158 Steve Wilson of Compostify: bioplastics that enrich the planet

May 24, 2025

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Compostify makes truly home-compostable plant pots and other bioplastic solutions designed to nourish the earth. Its products naturally break down without leaving harmful residues, and Compostify says this packaging enriches the planet, rather than polluting it.

Steve Wilson is the Co-founder and CEO of Compostify, with a background in scaling technology businesses. Steve is applying his expertise in innovation, partnerships, and market expansion to make compostable packaging a mainstream reality.

We talk about where the idea came from, and how they partnered with researchers to develop solutions, with a very challenging design brief that would support scaling this out around the world.

We talk about the criteria for the biomaterials and Steve explains the design features of the pots, meaning the Compostify solution enables ‘retailers, growers, nurseries, distributors, and manufacturers to transition to home compostable plant pots without sacrificing performance or ease of use.’

Steve also tells us about the feedback from gardeners, and the surprising benefits that emerged when commercial gardeners began using the pots.

International speaker, author and strategic advisor, Catherine Weetman helps people discover why circular, regenerative and fair solutions are better for people, planet – and prosperity.

Catherine’s award-winning book: A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business includes lots of practical examples and tips on getting started.

Stay in touch for free insights and updates…

Read on for more on our guest and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention.

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Links we mention in the episode:

Links for our guest:

Steve Wilson on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspsteve/
Compostify website https://compostify.com/
Insta https://www.instagram.com/compostifybioplastics/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Compostify/61568200167746/
Compostify on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/compostify-bioplastics

Books, people and organisations we mentioned

European Commission Environment, Biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/plastics/biobased-biodegradable-and-compostable-plastics_en

Catherine’s work:

Circular Economy Podcast on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/circular-economy-podcast/
Circular Economy Podcast website: circulareconomypodcast.com
Catherine Weetman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-weetman-9419107/
A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business – buy from any good bookseller, or direct from the publisher Kogan Page, which ships worldwide (free shipping to UK and US) https://www.koganpage.com/CircEcon2
Interactive podcast index https://www.rethinkglobal.info/circular-economy-podcast-index/
Rethink Global www.rethinkglobal.info
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Guest bio

Steve Wilson is the Co-founder and CEO of Compostify, leading the charge in home-compostable plant pots and sustainable bioplastics that break down naturally, leaving no harmful residues. With a background in scaling technology businesses, Steve applies his expertise in innovation, partnerships, and market expansion to make compostable packaging a mainstream reality.

Before Compostify, Steve was the Founder and CEO of MSP Assist, helping Managed Services Businesses optimize IT infrastructure. He negotiated multi-year licensing deals with major U.S. companies, supported 500+ clients in real-time, and developed scalable SaaS solutions that transformed IT service models.

Now, he’s bringing scalability and strategic growth to the fight against plastic waste. His expertise in business development, product innovation, and commercial partnerships is driving Compostify’s mission to replace single-use plastics with sustainable, compostable alternatives.

Compostify is redefining sustainability with truly home-compostable plant pots and bioplastic solutions designed to nourish the earth. Founded by a team of innovators and environmental advocates, Compostify creates products that naturally break down without leaving harmful residues. Committed to making circular solutions accessible, the company has developed a plastic alternative that seamlessly integrates into everyday life. By simplifying end-of-life disposal, Compostify ensures its packaging enriches the planet rather than polluting it. Learn more at compostify.com.

Playlist: getting started with the circular economy…

Want to know more about the what the circular economy really is, and how it can help your business? Here’s a playlist to help you get to grips with the concept, how it creates value, and the common myths (spoiler alert – it’s much more than recycling!)

#1 What is the circular economy: A quick intro to explain what the circular economy is and why it’s important. We explore how it helps create better products and services, and at the same time helps to make a better world. I break it down into my 5 circular economy components, helping you think about each part of your business.
#2 The linear economy and your risk checklist: We dig a bit deeper into the way we do business now, the linear economy, and why that’s creating problems for business, society and our living planet. Also, we’ll look at the risks that emerge from those big-picture issues, and how they might affect your organisation.
#90 Does circular mean it’s sustainable? Catherine Weetman is worried that companies are using circular economy solutions to grow their business (and their footprints).
#101 Circular is better for people, planet and profit! How three simple strategies can help you get started with circular and regenerative solutions that are better for people, planet and profit.
#120 Priorities are changing: people find life is better when we care for and share things – circular economy strategies make that better for business, too.

And here’s Catherine’s guide: What is the circular economy?

Want to dig deeper?

Why not buy Catherine’s award-winning book, A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business. This comprehensive guide uses a bottom-up, practical approach, and includes hundreds of real examples from around the world, to help you really ‘get’ the circular economy. Even better, you’ll be inspired with ideas to make your own business more competitive, resilient and sustainable.

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Podcast music

Thanks to Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow, otherwise known as the brilliant, inventive and generous folk duo, O’Hooley & Tidow for allowing me to use the instrumentals from the live version of Summat’s Brewin’ as music for the podcast. You can find the whole track (inspired by the Copper Family song “Oh Good Ale”) on their album, also called Summat’s Brewin’. Or, follow them on Twitter.