Our journey to a sustainable future

ShellCycle™ began with a simple question inspired by our family's small egg production business: What if eggshells weren't waste at all? Every day, we watched piles of eggshells being discarded despite containing calcium carbonate, a valuable natural material used in manufacturing. Instead of seeing waste, we saw opportunity. That idea sparked the creation of ShellCycle™. Together, founders Payton Anderson and Kimberly Beshears are developing innovative biodegradable materials that transform discarded eggshells into sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. Our first application focuses on biodegradable Mardi Gras beads, but our vision reaches far beyond a single product. We are building a sustainable materials company that turns agricultural waste into high-value solutions for manufacturers—proving that yesterday's waste can help build a cleaner, more sustainable tomorrow.

ShellCycle™ was co-founded by Payton Anderson, a high school honors student athlete, award-winning youth entrepreneur, and Junior Zulu member. Kimberly Beshears, an entrepreneur passionate about sustainability and innovation. Inspired by their family's small egg production business, they saw firsthand the waste created by discarded eggshells. As a Junior Zulu who rides in Mardi Gras parades, Payton also witnessed the tremendous amount of plastic bead waste left behind each year. Together, those experiences inspired a simple question: Could one waste stream help solve another? Today, ShellCycle™ is developing innovative biodegradable materials that transform discarded eggshells into sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. Combining classroom learning, research, entrepreneurship, and hands-on experimentation, the founders are building a company rooted in innovation, collaboration, and environmental impact.