About Footprint
Founded in 2007, Footprint was inspired by eco-friendly surfboard supplier, Greenlight Surf Supply. Greenlight uses bamboo fabric as resin reinforcement in making eco-surfboards. In building Greenlight surfboards or worn as silky soft apparel by Footprint, bamboo turns out to be a magical ingredient. It even joined these two green-minded entrepreneurs in marriage ;)
About Footprint EcoWear
The particular bamboo we use (1200 species out there!) is sensationally soft when woven into clothing. Bamboo hosts all the qualities desired for athletic socks and baselayers, and is a sustainable resource; good for our health and our environment!!! As avid outdoor-sports people from the Northeast, we understand the significance of our socks & undergarments to keep us comfortable & functional.
Fox News 2/14/08: "Fabric made from bamboo has a silky texture, environmentalists say. According to the National Geographic Green Guide, bamboo is an "a priori" eco-friendly material because it's naturally pest-resistant, requires little water, is amazingly regenerative and known to grow a foot a day. Bamboo also has a much lighter environmental impact than pesticide-laden conventional cotton and petroleum-derived nylon and polyester synthetics. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), conventional cotton consumes more water than any other agricultural commodity. Nitrogen-heavy fertilizer runoff from cotton fields feeds oceanic "dead zones" that deprive water of oxygen and kill fish. Seven of the top 15 pesticides used on U.S. cotton crops are deemed by the EPA to be potential or known human carcinogens. Industrial production of synthetic fibers releases lung-damaging pollutants such as nitrogen and sulfur oxides, particulates, carbon monoxide and heavy metals into the air. Manufacturing of most fabrics also releases climate-warming carbon dioxide into the air. Not so with bamboo."
Fair Labor
Footprint apparel is assembled locally in PA from components made locally, within the USA & overseas. We choose partners in manufacturing who share our values and provide a caring, sweatshop free workplace for all employees. The overseas factory is third party audited using the BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) Monitoring system, which is based on the labor standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO).
Carbon Offsets Program
To balance the shipping pollution caused by moving materials from here to there, we choose partners who purchase carbon offsets from www.carbonfund.org. CarbonFund can offset one metric ton of carbon dioxide for $10.00. This is a good price, plus CarbonFund is non-profit and third party audited.
Footprint Philanthropy
We donate a percentage of sales to the following causes:
Footprint Ecowear Raves
Cherry in PA I LOVE all of the goodies that Paul bought me for our anniversary! I feel so spoiled, I don't think that I could wear anything but bamboo from now on! It is by far the most amazing material that I've ever touched! The necklace is beautiful, pink is one of my favorite colors and I love the print that you chose. It's very me! You have an amazing product and I'm going to make sure I let everyone I know about it!
Aidan in PA When asked by his mom why he likes the Footprint Shirts so much, without skipping a beat, he smiled and said “One, they’re comfy. Two, they’re good for the environment and three, they’re light."
Tammy in DE "My Mother says they are the best socks she has ever had. She is diabetic and says her feet have felt better wearing these socks then they have felt in years! Thank you so much!"
Caroline in VA "Recently received some bambooty undies and socks from you and i'm sooooo happy! The part of me that loves comfort and style is very pleased, and so is my eco-conscience! The socks are so soft - i tried them on, and i have to say i think i had a foot-gasm - and the undies are like silk.
Thanks so much!
Matt in CO "Bamboo T-shirts by Footprint are THE BEST. I can wear it all week and it still remains odorless, comfy and wicks away moisture!"
Jenn in CA "My Footprint Bambooty thong and socks have the comfy qualities I was looking for, thank you! I get alot of compliments on my green footprint! It's nice to know I'm doing my part:)"
April in NH"Yo Footprint socks rock! I usually wear my hot chilly socks when I ride the mountain, yesterday I thought I would rock my new bamboo boardin sox. I was stoked by my third run when my feet were dry and warm; my feet are abundantly warm by nature causing regular socks to trap moisture. I'm super impressed and wont be hittin the park w/out my Footprint bamboo boarding socks ever.
Brian in PA "Check out Footprint Bamboo Socks Co who are doing their part for our environment through organic bamboo clothing. I just got some socks and they are by far the most comfortable things to ever touch my skin. And I feel great knowing they come from my favorite sustainable resource. I already have my holiday shopping list figured out with their line of socks :)"
Haidee in MA "Tim & I LOVE our Footprint Bamboo socks!!! As a diabetic, this is exactly what I was looking for to help my feet!"
Pat & John in FL "We have found our Footprint Bamboo socks to be very soft & comfortable. Our feet stay dry in the Florida heat while we play golf & walk the dogs!"
Diane in NH "I LOVE my socks!!! I wore a pair on Friday and my feet were so comfortable. I don't even want to think about having to wear Hanes anymore! I will be getting my list ready for Christmas, too. Thanks for introducing me to these socks. They are the best!"
When you wear the Footprint logo, you demonstrate that you are doing your part in leaving a good impression on our earth.