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Footprint is a materials science organization that engineers fiber-based packaging to address the environmental crisis of plastic pollution. Its plant-based fiber alternatives to plastic are made from sources like double-lined kraft. These can be compostable, biodegradable, and recyclable. Footprint works with large companies, helping them move away from using plastic products. Footprint's operations are based in the United States, Europe and Mexico.

History
Footprint was founded by Troy Swope, a former engineer at Intel, who became an "accidental environmentalist." Swope was alarmed at the outgassing that he saw was damaging Intel's products and thought that plastic food packaging might have the same issue outgassing on food. Troy and Footprint co-founder Yoke Chung, were on a trip to Hawaii and regretted that with climate change and marine pollution they might have to describe to their children what the oceans once looked like in the past. This caused Swope and Chung to found Footprint in 2014.

As of 2020, Footprint has factories in the United States and Mexicali, Mexico, with around 1,500 employees. Its main base is in Gilbert, Arizona, which houses a 135,000 square foot complex.

In 2021, Footprint was named a CNBC Disruptor 50 company.

Activities
Footprint's plant-based fiber alternatives are made from materials including double-lined kraft and newsprint. The organization uses things like recycled cardboard boxes, agricultural waste and virgin wood fibers to create biodegradable packaging. It owns around 240 patents for containers that can keep food safe, including packaging meant for shelves and those that can be frozen for 180 days. In the wake of plastic straw bans, Footprint makes a paper straw, which is compostable.

Research on turtle behavior
Footprint supports the research of Christine Figgener, a marine conservation biologist who documents turtle behavior, was concerned with plastics pollution affecting their natural habitat. Her video showing a turtle with a straw stuck in its snout garnered 37 million views as of September 2019, which raised awareness of the crisis.

Transition from plastics to alternatives
Footprint has moved Conagra Brands transition from plastic products to fiber bowls. Footprint has developed fiber-based plastic alternatives for Philips, Bose, Target, and Foxconn. Sweetgreen has switched to new bowls designed by Footprint.

Sports
Food service items for the Super Bowl LIV were supplied by Footprint. These included more than 100,000 plates, bowls, cups, hot dog boards, and straws. Coolers designed by Footprint used in the Super Bowl LIV were biodegradable.

In July 2021, Footprint and the Phoenix Suns announced a naming rights partnership for Footprint Center. As part of the partnership, Footprint Center will eliminate single-use plastic from the arena.

NextGen Cup Challenge
In 2018, Footprint joined Starbucks, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola Company, Yum Brands, Wendy’s, and Nestlé in the NextGen Cup Challenge, which sought to identify an optimal cup design that was recyclable. Footprint's entry was called CoolTouch and was among the winners of the contest during Climate Week.

European Expansion
In Sept. 2021, Footprint announced plans for a European R&D center in the Netherlands that will also serve as the company’s European headquarters.