Footprint (company): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description| |
{{Short description|American biodegradable packaging company}} |
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{{Infobox |
{{Infobox company |
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| name = Footprint |
| name = Footprint |
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| location = {{nowrap|[[Gilbert, Arizona]], U.S.}} |
| location = {{nowrap|[[Gilbert, Arizona]], U.S.}} |
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| founders = {{ubl|Troy Swope|Yoke Chung}} |
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| key_people = Troy Swope (CEO) |
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| foundation = {{start date and age|2014}} |
| foundation = {{start date and age|2014}} |
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| website = {{URL|https://www.footprintus.com/}} |
| website = {{URL|https://www.footprintus.com/}} |
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| logo = |
| logo = Footprint Logo.png |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Footprint''' is a [[materials science]] organization that engineers fiber-based packaging in an effort to address the environmental crisis of [[plastic pollution]].<ref name="Tatiana Schlossberg">{{cite web |last1=Schlossberg |first1=Tatiana |title=Tired of Plastic? These Businesses Have Ideas for You |url=/proxy/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/27/climate/plastic-alternative-business.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=May 27, 2020 |date=27 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="Amanda Morris">{{cite web |last1=Morris |first1=Amanda |title=Arizona company fights plastic pollution at Super Bowl LIV with eco-friendly alternatives |url=/proxy/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/super-bowl/2020/01/30/gilbert-arizona-company-footprint-fights-plastic-pollution-at-super-bowl-liv/4611124002/ |website=USA TODAY |access-date=Jan 30, 2020}}</ref> Its plant-based fiber alternatives to plastic are made from sources like [[Kraft paper|double-lined kraft]].<ref name="Clint Rainey">{{cite web |last1=Rainey |first1=Clint |title=Footprint is proving that sustainability can scale |url=/proxy/https://www.fastcompany.com/90457520/footprint-most-innovative-companies-2020 |website=Fast Company |access-date=Mar 10, 2020 |date=10 March 2020}}</ref> These can be compostable, [[biodegradable]], and [[recyclable]].<ref name="Amanda Morris" /> Footprint |
'''Footprint''' is a [[materials science]] organization that engineers fiber-based packaging in an effort to address the environmental crisis of [[plastic pollution]].<ref name="Tatiana Schlossberg">{{cite web |last1=Schlossberg |first1=Tatiana |title=Tired of Plastic? These Businesses Have Ideas for You |url=/proxy/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/27/climate/plastic-alternative-business.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=May 27, 2020 |date=27 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="Amanda Morris">{{cite web |last1=Morris |first1=Amanda |title=Arizona company fights plastic pollution at Super Bowl LIV with eco-friendly alternatives |url=/proxy/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/super-bowl/2020/01/30/gilbert-arizona-company-footprint-fights-plastic-pollution-at-super-bowl-liv/4611124002/ |website=USA TODAY |access-date=Jan 30, 2020}}</ref> Its plant-based fiber alternatives to plastic are made from sources like [[Kraft paper|double-lined kraft]].<ref name="Clint Rainey">{{cite web |last1=Rainey |first1=Clint |title=Footprint is proving that sustainability can scale |url=/proxy/https://www.fastcompany.com/90457520/footprint-most-innovative-companies-2020 |website=Fast Company |access-date=Mar 10, 2020 |date=10 March 2020}}</ref> These can be compostable, [[biodegradable]], and [[recyclable]].<ref name="Amanda Morris" /> Footprint operates in the United States, Europe and Mexico.<ref name="Clint Rainey" /><ref name="Andy Blye">{{cite web |last1=Blye |first1=Andy |title=Gilbert's Footprint to establish European HQ, R&D center in the Netherlands |url=/proxy/https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2021/09/10/footprint-europe-headquarters-research-center.html |website=www.bizjournals.com |access-date=Sep 10, 2021}}</ref> |
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Footprint was founded by Troy Swope, a former engineer at [[Intel]], who became an "accidental environmentalist."<ref name="Tatiana Schlossberg" /> Swope saw that outgassing was damaging Intel's products and thought that plastic food packaging might have the same issue [[outgassing]] on food.<ref name="Catherine Clifford">{{cite web |last1=Clifford |first1=Catherine |title=How this ex-Intel boss became an 'accidental environmentalist' fighting to eliminate single-use plastics |url=/proxy/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/04/how-troy-swope-went-from-an-intel-boss-to-a-founder-and-accidental-environmentalist.html |website=CNBC |access-date=Jun 4, 2021 |language=en |date=4 June 2021}}</ref> Troy and Footprint co-founder Yoke Chung founded Footprint in 2014.<ref name="Tatiana Schlossberg" /><ref name="Clint Rainey" /><ref name="Amanda Morris" /> |
Footprint was founded by Troy Swope, a former engineer at [[Intel]], who became an "accidental environmentalist."<ref name="Tatiana Schlossberg" /> Swope saw that outgassing was damaging Intel's products and thought that plastic food packaging might have the same issue [[outgassing]] on food.<ref name="Catherine Clifford">{{cite web |last1=Clifford |first1=Catherine |title=How this ex-Intel boss became an 'accidental environmentalist' fighting to eliminate single-use plastics |url=/proxy/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/04/how-troy-swope-went-from-an-intel-boss-to-a-founder-and-accidental-environmentalist.html |website=CNBC |access-date=Jun 4, 2021 |language=en |date=4 June 2021}}</ref> Troy and Footprint co-founder Yoke Chung founded Footprint in 2014.<ref name="Tatiana Schlossberg" /><ref name="Clint Rainey" /><ref name="Amanda Morris" /> |
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As of 2020, Footprint has factories in the |
As of 2020, Footprint has factories in the United States and [[Mexicali]], Mexico, with around 1,500 employees.<ref name="Clint Rainey" /> Its main base is in [[Gilbert, Arizona]], which houses a 135,000 square foot complex.<ref name="Mark Phillips">{{cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=Mark |title=Gilbert company contributes to Arizona's economic growth |url=/proxy/https://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/gilbert/gilbert-company-contributes-to-arizonas-economic-growth |website=KNXV |access-date=Feb 20, 2020 |language=en |date=21 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="Brandon Brown">{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Brandon |title=Former Sprouts interim CEO hired by innovative Gilbert company |url=/proxy/https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2020/04/03/former-sprouts-interimceo-hired-by-innovative.html |website=www.bizjournals.com |access-date=Apr 3, 2020}}</ref> |
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In 2021, Footprint was named a CNBC Disruptor 50 company.<ref name="CNBC.com staff">{{cite web |title=These are the 2021 CNBC Disruptor 50 companies |url=/proxy/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/25/these-are-the-2021-cnbc-disruptor-50-companies.html |website=CNBC |access-date=May 25, 2021 |language=en |date=25 May 2021}}</ref> |
In 2021, Footprint was named a CNBC Disruptor 50 company.<ref name="CNBC.com staff">{{cite web |title=These are the 2021 CNBC Disruptor 50 companies |url=/proxy/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/25/these-are-the-2021-cnbc-disruptor-50-companies.html |website=CNBC |access-date=May 25, 2021 |language=en |date=25 May 2021}}</ref> |
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In |
In December 2021, Footprint and Gores Holdings VIII, Inc. announced a merger acquisition that will result in Footprint becoming a publicly listed company. It is expected to list on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "FOOT."<ref name="reuters.com markets">{{cite web |title=Footprint to go public in $1.6 bln deal with Gores-backed SPAC |url= https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/footprint-go-public-16-bln-deal-with-gores-backed-spac-2021-12-14/ |website=Reuters |access-date=June 8, 2022 |language=en |date=8 June 2022}}</ref> The following September saw its valuation cut as part of an amended merger deal, but with an upsized investment, following delays in its public listing due to macroeconomic environment.<ref>{{cite web |url=/proxy/https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/footprint-valuation-drops-38-after-amended-spac-deal-2022-09-06/ |title=Footprint valuation drops 38% after amended deal with Gores-backed SPAC |date=September 6, 2022 |work=[[Reuters]] |last=Nishant |first=Niket |archive-url=/proxy/https://web.archive.org/web/20220909153755/https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/footprint-valuation-drops-38-after-amended-spac-deal-2022-09-06/ |archive-date=September 9, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In 2021, Footprint founders Troy Swope and Yoke Chung were named to |
In 2021, Footprint founders Troy Swope and Yoke Chung were named to Newsweek's list of America's Greatest Disruptors: Planet Protectors.<ref name="newsweek.com 2021">{{cite web |title=America's Greatest Disruptors Planet Protectors |url= https://www.newsweek.com/2021/12/24/americas-greatest-disruptors-planet-protectors-1659074.html |website=Reuters |access-date=June 8, 2022 |language=en |date=8 June 2022}}</ref> |
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== Activities == |
== Activities == |
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Footprint's products are made from materials including [[kraft paper|double-lined kraft]] and [[newsprint]].<ref name="Clint Rainey" /> The organization uses things like recycled cardboard boxes, agricultural waste and virgin wood fibers to create biodegradable packaging.<ref name="Amanda Morris" /><ref name="Catherine Clifford" /> It owns around 240 |
Footprint's products are made from materials including [[kraft paper|double-lined kraft]] and [[newsprint]].<ref name="Clint Rainey" /> The organization uses things like recycled cardboard boxes, agricultural waste and virgin wood fibers to create biodegradable packaging.<ref name="Amanda Morris" /><ref name="Catherine Clifford" /> 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.<ref name="Clint Rainey" /><ref name="Amanda Morris" /> In the wake of [[Drinking straw|plastic straw bans]], Footprint makes a compostable paper straw.<ref name="Seth Stevenson">{{cite web |last1=Stevenson |first1=Seth |title=How the Plastic Straw Got Canceled |url=/proxy/https://slate.com/business/2019/09/plastic-straw-bans-paper-culture-war.html |website=Slate Magazine |access-date=Sep 12, 2019 |language=en |date=12 September 2019}}</ref><ref name="KTAR.COM">{{cite web |title=Gilbert recycling company Footprint wins challenge to reinvent cups |url=/proxy/https://ktar.com/story/2477021/gilbert-recycling-company-footprint-wins-challenge-to-reinvent-cups/ |website=KTAR.com |date=11 March 2019}}</ref> |
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=== Research on turtle behavior === |
=== Research on turtle behavior === |
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=== Sports === |
=== Sports === |
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Food service items for the [[Super Bowl LIV]] were supplied by Footprint.<ref name="Tatiana Schlossberg" /> These included more than 100,000 plates, bowls, cups, hot dog boards, and straws.<ref name="Amanda Morris" /><ref name="Amanda Morris 12">{{cite web |last1=Morris |first1=Amanda |title=Arizona company fights plastic pollution at Super Bowl LIV with eco-friendly alternatives |url=/proxy/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-science/2020/01/29/gilbert-arizona-company-footprint-fights-plastic-pollution-at-super-bowl-liv/4547343002/ |website=The Arizona Republic |access-date=Jan 29, 2020}}</ref>Coolers designed by Footprint used in the Super Bowl LIV were biodegradable.<ref name="Clint Rainey" /><ref name="Thomas Parker">{{cite web |last1=Parker |first1=Thomas |title=What is Footprint US? The Super Bowl's official sustainability sponsor |url=/proxy/https://www.nspackaging.com/analysis/footprint-us-super-bowl/ |website=NS Packaging |access-date=Jan 31, 2020 |date=31 January 2020}}</ref> |
Food service items for the [[Super Bowl LIV]] were supplied by Footprint.<ref name="Tatiana Schlossberg" /> These included more than 100,000 plates, bowls, cups, hot dog boards, and straws.<ref name="Amanda Morris" /><ref name="Amanda Morris 12">{{cite web |last1=Morris |first1=Amanda |title=Arizona company fights plastic pollution at Super Bowl LIV with eco-friendly alternatives |url=/proxy/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-science/2020/01/29/gilbert-arizona-company-footprint-fights-plastic-pollution-at-super-bowl-liv/4547343002/ |website=The Arizona Republic |access-date=Jan 29, 2020}}</ref> Coolers designed by Footprint used in the Super Bowl LIV were biodegradable.<ref name="Clint Rainey" /><ref name="Thomas Parker">{{cite web |last1=Parker |first1=Thomas |title=What is Footprint US? The Super Bowl's official sustainability sponsor |url=/proxy/https://www.nspackaging.com/analysis/footprint-us-super-bowl/ |website=NS Packaging |access-date=Jan 31, 2020 |date=31 January 2020}}</ref> |
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In July 2021, Footprint and the [[Phoenix Suns]] announced a naming rights partnership for Footprint Center. As part of the partnership, |
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.<ref name="Jabari Young">{{cite web |last1=Young |first1=Jabari |title=Phoenix Suns arena will be named Footprint Center in 'one of the most unique partnerships in sports' |url=/proxy/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/16/phoenix-suns-arena-will-be-called-footprint-center.html?&qsearchterm=Footprint%20Center |website=CNBC |access-date=Jul 16, 2021 |language=en |date=16 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="Tim Newcomb">{{cite web |last1=Newcomb |first1=Tim |title=Phoenix Suns Partner With Footprint On Arena Naming Rights And Elimination Of Plastic Waste |url=/proxy/https://www.forbes.com/sites/timnewcomb/2021/07/16/phoenix-suns-partner-with-footprint-on-arena-naming-rights-footprint-center-elimination-of-plastic-waste/?sh=773e6a7145cd |website=Forbes |access-date=Jul 16, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> |
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=== NextGen Cup Challenge === |
=== NextGen Cup Challenge === |
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In 2018, Footprint joined [[Starbucks]], [[McDonald's]], [[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola Company]], [[Yum! Brands|Yum Brands]], [[Wendy's]], and [[Nestlé]] in the NextGen Cup Challenge, which sought to identify an optimal cup design that was recyclable.<ref name="Clint Rainey" /><ref name="Xandra McMahon">{{cite web |last1=McMahon |first1=Xandra |title=These 3 Companies Are Helping You Drink Responsibly (When It Comes To The Earth, Anyway) |url=/proxy/https://www.cpr.org/2019/09/19/these-3-companies-are-helping-you-drink-responsibly-when-it-comes-to-the-earth-anyway/ |website=Colorado Public Radio |access-date=Sep 19, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>Footprint's entry was called CoolTouch and debuted during [[Climate Week NYC|Climate Week]].<ref name="Clint Rainey" /> |
In 2018, Footprint joined [[Starbucks]], [[McDonald's]], [[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola Company]], [[Yum! Brands|Yum Brands]], [[Wendy's]], and [[Nestlé]] in the NextGen Cup Challenge, which sought to identify an optimal cup design that was recyclable.<ref name="Clint Rainey" /><ref name="Xandra McMahon">{{cite web |last1=McMahon |first1=Xandra |title=These 3 Companies Are Helping You Drink Responsibly (When It Comes To The Earth, Anyway) |url=/proxy/https://www.cpr.org/2019/09/19/these-3-companies-are-helping-you-drink-responsibly-when-it-comes-to-the-earth-anyway/ |website=Colorado Public Radio |access-date=Sep 19, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Footprint's entry was called CoolTouch and debuted during [[Climate Week NYC|Climate Week]].<ref name="Clint Rainey" /> |
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=== European Expansion === |
=== European Expansion === |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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[[Category:Materials science organizations]] |
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[[Category:2014 establishments in Arizona]] |
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Latest revision as of 03:38, 14 June 2024
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| Founded | 2014 |
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| Founders |
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| Headquarters | Gilbert, Arizona, U.S. |
Key people | Troy Swope (CEO) |
| Website | www |
Footprint is a materials science organization that engineers fiber-based packaging in an effort to address the environmental crisis of plastic pollution.[1][2] Its plant-based fiber alternatives to plastic are made from sources like double-lined kraft.[3] These can be compostable, biodegradable, and recyclable.[2] Footprint operates in the United States, Europe and Mexico.[3][4]
History
[edit]Footprint was founded by Troy Swope, a former engineer at Intel, who became an "accidental environmentalist."[1] Swope saw that outgassing was damaging Intel's products and thought that plastic food packaging might have the same issue outgassing on food.[5] Troy and Footprint co-founder Yoke Chung founded Footprint in 2014.[1][3][2]
As of 2020, Footprint has factories in the United States and Mexicali, Mexico, with around 1,500 employees.[3] Its main base is in Gilbert, Arizona, which houses a 135,000 square foot complex.[6][7]
In 2021, Footprint was named a CNBC Disruptor 50 company.[8]
In December 2021, Footprint and Gores Holdings VIII, Inc. announced a merger acquisition that will result in Footprint becoming a publicly listed company. It is expected to list on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "FOOT."[9] The following September saw its valuation cut as part of an amended merger deal, but with an upsized investment, following delays in its public listing due to macroeconomic environment.[10]
In 2021, Footprint founders Troy Swope and Yoke Chung were named to Newsweek's list of America's Greatest Disruptors: Planet Protectors.[11]
Activities
[edit]Footprint's products are made from materials including double-lined kraft and newsprint.[3] The organization uses things like recycled cardboard boxes, agricultural waste and virgin wood fibers to create biodegradable packaging.[2][5] 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.[3][2] In the wake of plastic straw bans, Footprint makes a compostable paper straw.[12][13]
Research on turtle behavior
[edit]Footprint supports the research of Christine Figgener, a marine conservation biologist who documents turtle behavior and has investigated the effect of plastics pollution on their natural habitat.[12] 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.[12][14]
Transition from plastics to alternatives
[edit]Footprint has supported Conagra Brands transition from plastic products to fiber bowls.[3][15] Footprint has developed fiber-based plastic alternatives for Philips, Bose, Target, and Foxconn.[3] Sweetgreen has switched to bowls designed by Footprint.[16]
Sports
[edit]Food service items for the Super Bowl LIV were supplied by Footprint.[1] These included more than 100,000 plates, bowls, cups, hot dog boards, and straws.[2][17] Coolers designed by Footprint used in the Super Bowl LIV were biodegradable.[3][18]
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.[19][20]
NextGen Cup Challenge
[edit]In 2018, Footprint joined Starbucks, McDonald's, Coca-Cola Company, Yum Brands, Wendy's, and Nestl� in the NextGen Cup Challenge, which sought to identify an optimal cup design that was recyclable.[3][21] Footprint's entry was called CoolTouch and debuted during Climate Week.[3]
European Expansion
[edit]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.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Schlossberg, Tatiana (27 May 2020). "Tired of Plastic? These Businesses Have Ideas for You". The New York Times. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f Morris, Amanda. "Arizona company fights plastic pollution at Super Bowl LIV with eco-friendly alternatives". USA TODAY. Retrieved Jan 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Rainey, Clint (10 March 2020). "Footprint is proving that sustainability can scale". Fast Company. Retrieved Mar 10, 2020.
- ^ a b Blye, Andy. "Gilbert's Footprint to establish European HQ, R&D center in the Netherlands". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved Sep 10, 2021.
- ^ a b Clifford, Catherine (4 June 2021). "How this ex-Intel boss became an 'accidental environmentalist' fighting to eliminate single-use plastics". CNBC. Retrieved Jun 4, 2021.
- ^ Phillips, Mark (21 February 2020). "Gilbert company contributes to Arizona's economic growth". KNXV. Retrieved Feb 20, 2020.
- ^ Brown, Brandon. "Former Sprouts interim CEO hired by innovative Gilbert company". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved Apr 3, 2020.
- ^ "These are the 2021 CNBC Disruptor 50 companies". CNBC. 25 May 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ "Footprint to go public in $1.6 bln deal with Gores-backed SPAC". Reuters. 8 June 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ Nishant, Niket (September 6, 2022). "Footprint valuation drops 38% after amended deal with Gores-backed SPAC". Reuters. Archived from the original on September 9, 2022.
- ^ "America's Greatest Disruptors Planet Protectors". Reuters. 8 June 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ a b c Stevenson, Seth (12 September 2019). "How the Plastic Straw Got Canceled". Slate Magazine. Retrieved Sep 12, 2019.
- ^ "Gilbert recycling company Footprint wins challenge to reinvent cups". KTAR.com. 11 March 2019.
- ^ Estes, Christina (27 May 2019). "How A Sea Turtle Led An Arizona Company To Make Paper Straws". KJZZ. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ De Leon Chavez, Melissa (1 October 2020). "Conagra Brands Continues Progress Toward Sustainability Goals With New Products". Deli Market News. Retrieved Oct 1, 2020.
- ^ Peters, Adele (6 March 2020). "Sweetgreen is rolling out compostable bowls without any 'forever chemicals'". Fast Company. Retrieved Mar 6, 2020.
- ^ Morris, Amanda. "Arizona company fights plastic pollution at Super Bowl LIV with eco-friendly alternatives". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved Jan 29, 2020.
- ^ Parker, Thomas (31 January 2020). "What is Footprint US? The Super Bowl's official sustainability sponsor". NS Packaging. Retrieved Jan 31, 2020.
- ^ Young, Jabari (16 July 2021). "Phoenix Suns arena will be named Footprint Center in 'one of the most unique partnerships in sports'". CNBC. Retrieved Jul 16, 2021.
- ^ Newcomb, Tim. "Phoenix Suns Partner With Footprint On Arena Naming Rights And Elimination Of Plastic Waste". Forbes. Retrieved Jul 16, 2021.
- ^ McMahon, Xandra. "These 3 Companies Are Helping You Drink Responsibly (When It Comes To The Earth, Anyway)". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved Sep 19, 2019.