Homegrown Hero: MJ Goods

Case Study: MJ Goods

Location: Australind

Manufacturing the Future from the Harvey Region

From custom product labels through to Australia’s first home-compostable paper drink cups, MJ Goods is proving advanced manufacturing and sustainable innovation can thrive in the Harvey Region.

Founded in 2019 by Matt Marchese and family, the business originally supplied hospitality, catering and baking products throughout the South West. Matt’s background as a chef gave him firsthand insight into the hospitality industry and the growing demand for more practical and sustainable packaging solutions.

Today, MJ Goods operates a retail store, a manufacturing operation and a printing operation in the Harvey Region.

Alongside sustainable packaging production, the business also operates a major printing and labelling division, supplying customised labels and packaging solutions to businesses across Australia, including customers in the Northern Territory. The business now works with recognised brands and hospitality operators including Harvey Beef / Harvest Road, Bunbury Toyota, Bunbury Mantra, SHAG Brewing Company and Little Otto’s Busselton.

Growing Through COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, MJ Goods experienced rapid growth as supply shortages created massive demand for essential hospitality and cleaning products, earning Matt the nickname of the “toilet paper king” amongst customers and suppliers.

Rather than slowing down during this period, the business expanded aggressively, investing more than $2–3 million into manufacturing equipment, including custom-built print machinery from Melbourne and a specialised cup manufacturing plant from China.

This growth helped position MJ Goods to move into advanced sustainable packaging manufacturing as environmental awareness, packaging legislation and plastic bans continued evolving across Australia.

First of Its Kind in Australia

MJ Goods has since become the first business in Australia to manufacture home-compostable paper drink cups.

Unlike many compostable products that require industrial composting facilities, MJ Goods’ cups are designed to break down in standard backyard compost systems and worm farms within approximately 7–10 weeks, creating a far more practical solution for Australian households and businesses.

Manufactured locally in Australind using specialised custom-built machinery, the cups use water-based coatings and certified compostable materials that eliminate traditional plastic-lined cup waste.

The business also offers short-run production from as little as 1,000 cups per order, with turnaround times of approximately 7–14 days compared to wait times of up to 12 weeks for imported overseas products. MJ Goods have capacity to make 18,000 to 20,000 cups per day.

“Our home compostable cups are designed to work in the real world. We’re not just importing a product — we’re manufacturing a practical and the highest level certified eco-friendly solution right here in the Harvey Region.” – Matt Marchese, Director

Built on Hard Work and Innovation

Matt Marchese’s Italian heritage and strong family work ethic continue to shape the culture of the business, which remains heavily family focused with Matt’s wife and daughter involved in operations.

What started as a small family-run operation has grown into a nationally supplying manufacturing, packaging and printing business supporting hospitality operators, retailers and businesses across Australia.

By manufacturing locally, MJ Goods reduces transport emissions, improves supply chain reliability and keeps economic value within the region.

As Australia continues moving toward stronger circular economy principles and reducing reliance on single-use plastics, MJ Goods is well positioned to play an important role from right here in the Harvey Region.

As part of the business’s commitment to reducing waste, products that do not meet quality standards are donated to local schools and community groups to support gardening and plant-growing projects rather than being discarded.

Looking Ahead

Future plans include launching a dedicated sub-brand for the home-compostable product range, expanding market reach, and securing further investment to support additional manufacturing capability.

Planned developments also include full-bleed cup printing, sourcing more eco-friendly inks, expanding into double-wall cups and developing additional home-compostable packaging products including bowls and other food packaging solutions.