Since its establishment in 2007, Green Home has been a pioneer in South Africa’s food packaging landscape, proudly becoming the country’s first – and longest-running – completely compostable food packaging company. The company was built on a simple but powerful principle: food packaging should only last as long as it’s needed – no longer.

Driven by the mission to offer compostable solutions that exist in harmony with nature’s cycles of growth and decay, Green Home’s approach to sustainable packaging is simple. The company recommends reducing packaging and choosing reusable options wherever possible.

When disposable packaging is absolutely necessary, Green Home offers a wide range of plant-based, compostable packaging solutions designed to biodegrade alongside food waste in a waste-free loop.

Green Home pioneered the introduction of bagasse products – made from recycled sugarcane fibre – to South Africa. These durable, compostable items were soon followed by the launch of bioplastics made from plant starch, further cementing the company’s reputation as an innovator in sustainable food service solutions. All products are designed with two guiding principles in mind: compostability and the use of responsibly sourced, renewable raw materials.

Green Home’s product range is extensive and continues to grow to meet market needs. It includes everything from hot and cold cups, straws, clamshells, boxes and containers, to cutlery, greaseproof papers, baking sheets and paper bags. These solutions serve cafés, restaurants, caterers and events with high-performance packaging that supports the growing demand for greener alternatives.

Over the past decade and a half, Green Home has observed a dramatic shift in public awareness.
Where biodegradable packaging was once niche and often misunderstood, it is now gaining traction as a central part of conversations around environmental responsibility. Consumers are increasingly seeking packaging options that align with nature, reduce harm and support regenerative systems.

In a country where 90% of waste ends up in landfills, and nearly 40% of that waste is organic, Green Home offers a solution with measurable impact. Its products are designed to enter the green waste stream, allowing them to be composted alongside food scraps, garden waste and agricultural residues. Composting not only reduces landfill pressure but also returns valuable nutrients to the soil, making it an essential component of a circular economy.

As a founding member of the Organics Recycling Association of South Africa (ORASA), Green Home is actively involved in industry efforts to promote composting and increase organic recycling infrastructure. ORASA’s ultimate goal – zero organic waste to landfill – aligns seamlessly with Green Home’s own values and strategic direction.

A key milestone came in 2023, when Green Home was acquired by Bidvest, joining its Data, Print and Packaging division. This partnership has strengthened the company’s ability to deliver on its mission, offering access to greater resources while maintaining its unique culture and values. Managing executive Catherine Morris, who founded the company in 2007, continues to lead the dedicated team. The company’s structure, service ethos and commitment to compostable innovation remain unchanged.

With distribution hubs in Cape Town and Johannesburg, Green Home is well positioned to serve customers across Southern Africa with fast delivery and top-tier service. As the company approaches its 20th year, Green Home remains rooted in its founding values, while looking ahead to an impactful future.

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