Hidden Resources: Deep Dive 03 with ReStalk on Upcycling Agricultural Residues

INTRODUCTION What if the “waste” from your beer, tequila, or rice bowl could replace plastic packaging? In this third Hidden Resources deep dive, Ben Cassou from ReStalk unpacks how agricultural residues can become molded packaging designed to replace the need for tree and plastic-based products, globally, collaboratively, and at scale!  Enjoy listening to our third deep dive of Hidden Resources, the new interview series within Unboxing Your Packaging. Discover how circular packaging solutions really work: from material choices and design to resource flows and real-world challenges.  Structured insights, honest conversations, and practical frameworks you can apply: all based on the Develop Circular Packaging Solutions training.  No sponsors, no fluff, just circularity in action! RESOURCES RECOMMENDED RELATED TO THIS EPISODE The Develop Circular Packaging Solutions online training: https://www.look4loops.com/develop-circular-packaging-solutions-training Episode 59 with Paul Foulkes-Arellano (who is on the advisory board of ReStalk): https://www.look4loops.com/packaging-podcast/ep59-sustainable-materials-manufacturing-waste-toxicity-circular-economy Episode 22 with Lee-Ann Unger from Canopy: “How to envision a sustainable future for the paper packaging supply chain?” https://www.look4loops.com/packaging-podcast/ep22-sustainable-paper-supply-chain-protecting-forests A small nod to the fact that ReStalk is recognized by Canopy as a “Next Generation Solutions Provider” and listed in the EcoPaper Database: https://canopyplanet.org/next-generation-solutions/nextgen-providers WHERE TO FIND BENJAMIN CASSOU AND RESTALK? The website of ReStalk: https://www.restalk.org ReStalk’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restalk/ Ben’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-cassou-206116a0/ ABOUT BENJAMIN CASSOU FROM RESTALK  Benjamin Cassou is a Franco-American entrepreneur born in Paris, known for blending storytelling with technology to build climate-positive industries. He is the co-founder & CEO of ReStalk, a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation creating Agri-Hubs- modular, circular biorefineries that transform agricultural co-products (wheat and rice straw, bagasse, and more) into PFAS-free molded fiber packaging, specialty pulps, and next-gen materials. He leads deployments across the U.S., India, Vietnam, and Europe, aligning farmers, engineers, brands, and policymakers to replace plastics, protect forests, and create rural jobs. Guided by Blue Ocean strategy and systems thinking, Benjamin builds coalitions across a diverse, global network of experts and conservationists. A champion of endangered species and forest protection, he embeds regeneration into supply chains and infrastructure. His leadership fosters curiosity, collaboration, and calculated risk-taking– encouraging teams to learn fast, think boldly, and turn second-harvest residues into first-rate products with generational positive impact. PODCAST MUSIC Special thanks to Joachim Regout who made the jingle. Have a look at his work here.  I am happy to bring a sample of our strong bonds on these sound waves. Since I was a child, he made me discover a wide range of music of all kinds. I am also delighted he is a nature lover and shares the Look4Loops 'out of the box philosophy'. He is an inspiring source of creativity for me.