Throughout his career at Footprint, Collin Euteneuer (’15) has helped drive packaging innovations that are reshaping an industry. The technologies he has supported and scaled have reduced CO2 emissions and greenhouse gases by more than 50 percent while eliminating thousands of pounds of single-use plastics from landfills. Now serving as vice president of Customer Solutions, he leads a global team of more than 1,000 employees and has secured over $150 million in contractual commitments from Fortune 100 companies committed to sustainable change.
Initially drawn to UW-Stout’s polytechnic approach and originally majoring in business, Collin soon discovered his calling in the packaging program. “It was the smaller, tight-knit feel of Stout and the engineering focus that drew me in,” Collin recalls. “Once I started in the packaging program, I saw what we could do and how I could make an impact in the industry.” He credits the mix of real-world examples and applied learning, including lab experiments and project-based coursework, for preparing him to tackle complex challenges in a rapidly evolving field.
“It was the smaller, tight-knit feel of Stout and the engineering focus that drew me in,” Collin recalls. “Once I started in the packaging program, I saw what we could do and how I could make an impact in the industry.” He credits the mix of real-world examples and hands-on learning, including lab experiments and project-based coursework, for preparing him to tackle complex challenges in a rapidly evolving field.
Collin joined Footprint, a start-up committed to eliminating single-use plastics, immediately after graduation. He began in a hybrid role supporting both sales and design, managing projects, validating samples, and coordinating with clients. Over time, his responsibilities expanded to technical sales, operations planning, and leading the company’s technology development and project management offices. Today, his work spans consumer goods and non-food packaging, with teams in Arizona, Mexico and Poland.
Over his career, Collin has been instrumental in developing breakthrough packaging technologies. A notable example is the Annie’s Mac & Cheese molded fiber cup: the first shelf-stable, microwavable cup made from post-industrial recycled materials with direct-print capabilities. “It’s a partnership with brands that’s never been done before,” he says. “You work together to develop the solution, and when you finally see it on the shelf, it’s incredibly rewarding and better for the planet.”
His impact extends across multiple industries. Collin played a key role in launching Beyond Meat trays, fiber-based leafy greens packaging for Whole Foods and Sprouts, and non-food packaging for brands such as Gillette, Venus and Phillips Oral Care. In each case, his work enabled companies to transition from traditional plastics to sustainable fiber solutions, supporting measurable reductions in CO2 emissions, energy use, and plastic waste.
Leadership and mentorship are equally central to Collin’s story. Known for his hands-on approach and adaptability, he emphasizes supporting teams, delegating effectively and empowering colleagues to problem-solve while providing guidance when needed. “It’s about giving your team the tools to succeed and creating an environment where challenges can be escalated and solved quickly,” he says. Colleagues credit Collin with helping them grow professionally and personally, mirroring the mentorship he received early in his career.
Looking ahead, Collin hopes to continue driving the shift from plastics to sustainable fiber packaging. “I want to look back in 20 or 30 years and see that I was part of a real change in the industry,” he says. “For my kids, I hope they can walk down a grocery aisle and recognize that the packaging they see was designed to be recyclable, compostable and better for the planet.”
When asked what being #StoutProud means to him, Collin reflects on the community and mindset that shaped his journey. “I’m proud of the tight-knit community that Stout is,” Collin says. “And the polytechnic, hands-on environment goes a super long way in the work environment. Especially in engineering, it’s not just studying a book.”
