US –  US-based material technology company Footprint has partnered with SAMBAZON to develop a sustainable packaging solution.

As part of the multi-year agreement, the partners will use Footprint’s proprietary technology to develop plant-based fiber solutions for use in SAMBAZON’s ready-to-eat açaí bowls.

The ready-to-eat açaí bowls are a frozen product claimed to have a 15-month shelf life.

Footprint founder and CEO Troy Swope said: “We are thrilled to bring our design and manufacturing innovation to support SAMBAZON’s Packaging ‘Eco-mmitment’ as they bring their certified fair trade and organic açaí to the freezer in a plastic-free, ready-to-eat bowl.

“We look forward to continuing to provide industry leaders like SAMBAZON the opportunity to transition away from single-use plastic with a plant-based fiber solution that is at price and performance parity to plastic.”

Through this partnership, SAMBAZON will receive millions of units from Footprint to expand the national distribution of its açaí bowls.

The agreement is in line with SAMBAZON’s commitment to using plant-based and post-consumer recycled packaging for all its US retail products by 2025.

SAMBAZON CFO and COO Ricardo Perdigao said: “As a triple bottom line business, reducing our impact through packaging is a priority.

“Our partnership with Footprint has enabled us to deliver our fair trade and organic certified açaí to the world in packaging aligned with our sustainability goals, paving the way for a zero-waste future, and minimizing our impact on the environment.”

Founded in 2014, Footprint designs, develops and manufactures biodegradable, compostable and recyclable products using plant-based fiber technology.

The company aims to provide solutions that can eliminate single-use and short-term-use plastics from the global food chain.

The company’s goal is in line with the U.S. Interior Department’s plan to phase out single-use plastics on its land and facilities by 2032.

The agency has been tasked with finding alternative materials to disposable plastics, such as cutlery, bags, cups, bottles, straws and food containers.

“The Interior Department has an obligation to play a leading role in reducing the impact of plastic waste on our ecosystems and our climate,” says Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.

The move come at a time when more than 300 million tons of plastic are produced in the U.S. each year, with 14 million of them ending up in the ocean.

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