Composting, Community, and Cutting Waste with Andrew Hargest, Compost Club and Supply Club
When a business starts as a side hustle and grows into a sustainability movement, you know something special is happening. That’s exactly what Andrew Hargest has done with SupplyClub and Compost Club, two game-changing businesses tackling waste reduction and sustainable packaging head-on.
On this episode of The Wild Party Podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Andrew about his entrepreneurial journey, the importance of composting, and how small changes can create a massive environmental impact. Whether you're an eco-conscious business owner or just starting your sustainability journey, this conversation is packed with insights that will inspire you to take action.
The Journey from Paper Straws to a Sustainability Empire
Andrew’s story begins with a simple product: paper straws.
Like many entrepreneurs, he and a friend were looking for a way to start a business. Their initial idea? Collect plastic waste from beaches and turn it into reusable products. But without engineering expertise or massive funding, the project felt overwhelming.
Then, they saw a video that changed everything—a sea turtle with a plastic straw stuck in its nose. The heartbreaking footage went viral and sparked a global conversation about plastic pollution. Andrew and his partner realized there was a market demand for eco-friendly straws, so they quickly sourced a supplier, built a website, and started selling.
And it took off.
“We were one of the only ones taking paper straws seriously at the time,” Andrew shared. “Our first customers started talking, and before we knew it, we were getting inbound calls from businesses wanting to buy.”
This initial success validated their idea, and they soon expanded into other sustainable packaging solutions—eventually rebranding from Eco-Pliant to SupplyClub to reflect their broader mission.
What is SupplyClub?
SupplyClub is a B2B distributor providing sustainable packaging and supplies to businesses like:
Restaurants
Hotels
Bars
Caterers
Hospitals
The idea is simple: businesses need packaging, so why not make it eco-friendly?
But Andrew didn’t stop there. With SupplyClub thriving, he saw another opportunity: composting.
How Compost Club Makes Composting Easy for Everyone
Compost Club is a direct-to-consumer business that helps individuals and property owners start composting with ease.
“I wanted to create something that makes composting simple, accessible, and fun,” Andrew explained.
For city dwellers like me in West Hollywood, composting can feel overwhelming. What can you compost? Where does it go? Andrew’s solution is a small, easy-to-use composting system designed for apartment dwellers and homeowners alike.
“The first rule of thumb is: if it came from the earth, it can go in the compost bin,” Andrew shared. “Food scraps, coffee grounds, even food-soiled paper—it all belongs in compost, not landfills.”
Why does this matter?
Food waste in landfills releases methane, which is 28 times more harmful than CO2.
Composting creates nutrient-rich soil that can be used in gardens, parks, and farms.
It’s a low-effort way to reduce your carbon footprint.
And if you’re wondering whether composting works, Andrew reminded me of something amazing:
“They call compost ‘black gold’ for a reason. It’s one of the best things you can add to your soil, and the impact is immediate.”
The Challenges of Sustainable Packaging & Finding the Best Materials
One of the biggest struggles in sustainable packaging is finding materials that are truly eco-friendly.
Andrew and his team constantly evaluate materials to ensure they meet sustainability standards. “The most important factor is what it’s made from,” he explained.
Some of the best sustainable materials include:
Bagasse fiber – a byproduct of sugarcane processing
Bamboo fiber – highly renewable and compostable
Wheat fiber – another natural alternative to plastic
He also mentioned new, exciting innovations, like seaweed-based packaging and mushroom-derived materials.
“Natural materials lead to more sustainable products,” he emphasized. “That’s the future of packaging.”
Why Styrofoam is Still a Problem
We had to take a moment to talk about something we both can’t stand: Styrofoam.
“It’s one of the worst materials out there,” Andrew said. “It doesn’t break down, it’s still widely used in some areas, and even when banned, enforcement is a challenge.”
He pointed out that while California led the charge in banning Styrofoam, it still appears in supply chains across the country.
The Birth of the GreenBux Program: A Game-Changer for Businesses
Andrew wanted to go beyond just offering sustainable products—he wanted to incentivize businesses to make better choices.
That’s where GreenBux comes in.
Businesses earn points when they purchase eco-friendly products.
Points unlock discounts and rewards.
Carbon credits are automatically purchased to offset emissions.
“It allows businesses to do the right thing without added effort,” Andrew explained. “Even if a restaurant has to use certain plastic packaging, they can still offset their impact.”
And here’s the best part: it’s automatic. No sign-ups, no extra steps—just sustainable action built into business operations.
What’s Next? The Billion-Pound Plastic Challenge
One of Andrew’s biggest goals is to eliminate 1 billion pounds of plastic waste from the environment in the next five years.
“We track every purchase made through SupplyClub,” he explained. “Each time a customer chooses fiber-based products instead of plastic, it counts towards our total.”
Right now, that counter sits at over 650,000 pounds removed—and growing.
Why Composting is the Future
Andrew sees composting as the next major sustainability movement.
With China no longer accepting global recycling waste, the system is breaking down. But composting is a local, scalable solution that creates jobs, clean soil, and real impact.
Unlike traditional recycling, composting adds value back into the system. Municipalities and businesses are starting to adopt composting programs, making it easier than ever to get involved.
And if you’ve never composted before, Compost Club makes it simple.
Get a small composting bin.
Learn what goes in.
Watch your food scraps turn into nutrient-rich compost.
As Andrew put it:
“The future isn’t just about reducing waste—it’s about transforming it into something valuable.”
Final Thoughts: The Wild Party Takeaway
Andrew’s journey from paper straws to a sustainability empire is proof that one small idea can lead to massive change.
Key Takeaways from Our Conversation:
Composting reduces waste, fights climate change, and enriches soil.
Businesses can switch to sustainable packaging without losing functionality.
Small changes, like choosing fiber-based materials, add up to huge environmental impact.
And remember: if you’re waiting for the perfect time to start making a difference—the time is now.
Join the Movement
Ready to compost? Check out Compost Club
Want sustainable packaging? Visit SupplyClub
#Sustainability #Composting #ZeroWaste #EcoFriendlyBusiness #TheWildPartyPodcast #GreenLiving #PlasticFree #Entrepreneurship
