Melissa LaCasse left public radio in New York to build Tanbark, a Maine-based startup replacing single-use plastic with sustainable molded fiber. The catch? She’s doing it in a state with almost no growth capital, aging manufacturing infrastructure, and endless red tape.
In this episode, Jonathan Bush sits down with Melissa to talk about:
Melissa doesn’t just talk sustainability—she lives it. And this episode is a masterclass in what’s possible when a big idea meets the right place… and still has to fight like hell to survive.
📍 Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro + how Jonathan and Melissa met
01:15 – What is Tanbark and why does it matter?
05:30 – Why Melissa built this company in Maine
07:00 – How molded fiber is made (and why it’s so hard)
12:30 – What makes Maine a great place to start—but a tough place to grow
16:00 – The “valley of death” no one talks about
23:00 – What Maine’s environmentalists get wrong
27:00 – Melissa’s big vision: a new molded fiber mill in Maine
35:00 – Final thoughts on stewardship, stagnation, and economic hope
📢 Subscribe for more conversations about building a stronger, freer Maine.
Full episodes drop weekly.