What inspired you to start Cruz Foam?
There are many factors that influenced my decision to co-found Cruz Foam with Marco. One is our mutual passion for the ocean. We are both surfers and have witnessed first hand the plastic and chemical waste that is ubiquitous in our waterways. Further, at UCSB, we could see oil rigs from my surf break, and I frequently came home from the beach with tar on my feet. Also, in my work on remediation of soil, waterways, groundwater, and air, that had a profound impact on me emotionally. All of this has contributed to our shared passion and mission for inventing sustainable materials to replace their harmful counterparts – initially in single use plastic, and eventually in other areas.
Can you describe your product, and what sets it apart from the competition?
Cruz Foam is a patented, ASTM-compostable material that has the technical properties and performance to match [traditional plastic-based] EPS and EPE in most commercial applications such as protective packaging, insulation, and other common supply chain uses, and that is also produced from upcycled food industry waste. The truly unique elements are the technical properties, and that our production is designed from the start to work with existing equipment, factories and employees so today’s single use plastic foam producers can easily diversify their product lines, providing sustainable alternatives, a safer workplace, and a diversified, future-proof revenue stream. This can also be done anywhere in the world currently producing plastic foams.
How is Cruz Foam tackling sustainability at all steps of the product’s supply chain and lifecycle?
We utilize upcycled food industry waste, therefore diverting that waste from landfills. We also design for end of use so that material goes to compost, which in turn goes to enrich the earth with nutrients, enabling new things to grow. We are very proud of that.
We work with all stakeholders in the ecosystem including the brands, their converters and packaging designers, wholesalers and distributors, certification and regulatory bodies, and the waste management stakeholders.
How has your degree in Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Washington informed your work?
My time at the UW influenced me as a co-founder and co-inventor, and my work in materials science led me on this path. And, of course, meeting Marco. My studies helped me gain a deep knowledge for material development, especially working with biomaterials, and helping better understand pathways in which to scale and commercialize material technologies.
