Submitted
2025 Global Climate Challenge

Yli

Team Leader
Benie Muanda
Our solution is sustainable packaging made from microcellulose—a natural material derived from plants. It looks and feels like plastic, but it's actually a form of specialized paper that breaks down safely in water or soil. This packaging is grease-proof, durable, and doesn’t require any harmful chemical coatings like PFAS. It can be molded into various shapes, just like plastic, making...
What is the name of your organization?
Paramount Planet Product (P3RD.EARTH)
What is the name of your solution?
Yli
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
A plastic-free, compostable packaging solution that dissolves in water—safe for marine life, scalable for industry.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Orono, ME 04473, USA
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
USA
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Plastic pollution is a global crisis affecting both ecosystems and human health. Every year, over 11 million metric tons of plastic enter our oceans, harming over 800 marine species, including seabirds, turtles, and seals. Many die from ingestioor entanglement. Additionally, humans ingest microplastics through contaminated food and water, with recent studies estimating that the average person consumes about 5 grams of plastic per week—the size of a credit card. In our local communities and globally, single-use plastic packaging is one of the most common sources of this pollution. Items such as wrappers, containers, and bags are consistently among the top 10 most collected items during beach cleanups. We are addressing this issue by replacing harmful plastic packaging with compostable, marine-safe alternatives made from water-dispersible microcellulose. Our material is naturally grease-proof and PFAS-free, eliminating the need for chemical additives. It decomposes in soil or water, making it safe for both the environment and human health. By targeting high-volume plastic items in food and consumer packaging, we aim to significantly reduce the presence of persistent plastic waste in landfills and oceans, protecting marine life and public health.
What is your solution?
Our solution is sustainable packaging made from microcellulose—a natural material derived from plants. It looks and feels like plastic, but it's actually a form of specialized paper that breaks down safely in water or soil. This packaging is grease-proof, durable, and doesn’t require any harmful chemical coatings like PFAS. It can be molded into various shapes, just like plastic, making it ideal for things like food wrappers, containers, and more. The technology behind it uses microcellulose fibers that are engineered to be strong and flexible. This allows the material to function like plastic, but with the huge advantage of being fully compostable and ocean-safe. With our solution, companies can switch to packaging that protects their product, looks professional, and disappears naturally without harming people or the planet.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our target population includes both people and wildlife—because plastic pollution affects all life. We focus on improving the quality of packaging for everyone, especially consumers and communities exposed to high levels of single-use plastics. These communities often lack access to sustainable alternatives and are underserved by companies that prioritize low-cost plastic over eco-safe materials. Our solution directly benefits individuals by providing packaging that is free from harmful chemicals like PFAS, and indirectly supports public health by reducing microplastic contamination in food, water, and the environment. We also prioritize marine wildlife, which is heavily impacted by plastic pollution. Our compostable, ocean-safe packaging ensures that even if waste ends up in waterways, it will break down naturally without harming animals. By replacing harmful plastics with responsible, accessible packaging, we aim to improve the well-being of people and protect ecosystems globally.
Solution Team:
Benie Muanda
Benie Muanda
Business Development Manager