Why Facility Site Visits Matter
Showing policymakers your facilities can garner their support
Jobs and economic impact are key drivers of politicians’ decisions.
When they can see facilities firsthand, shake hands with residents in their districts, and understand the economic impact, they better understand how their votes on proposed legislation will directly affect their communities.
This is why site visits by elected officials and their staff to facilities run by members of the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) are critically important as follow-ups to the FPA FlexFly-Ins organized by FPA and its Emerging Leadership Council (ELC).
While FPA will have specific talking points and requests—such as asking policymakers to support a bill—a site visit allows federal or state elected officials to better understand how supporting or opposing a bill affecting the flexible packaging industry will influence their districts.
Firsthand experience further strengthens the fly-in’s requests.
Site Visits Will Be a Priority
Site visits have historically been organized because of the fly-ins. However, due to the abundance of political activity around extended producer responsibility (EPR) bills and laws, labeling bills, and waste management regulations, the ELC Advocacy Committee plans to make site visits a more intentional activity going forward.
The ELC Advocacy Committee will help coordinate site visits in states of particular interest, based on proposed bills and with guidance from the FPA Government Affairs Committee.
In 2026, New York and California are priorities for site visits because of EPR bills, laws, and regulations.
Companies that have facilities in these states should strongly consider hosting a site visit. If you need assistance to understand whether a given facility is suitable, or if your site’s leadership needs further guidance, FPA staff and ELC members can help.
Site visits outside of New York and California are also encouraged, as it is crucial that the flexible packaging industry engage directly with our elected officials to ensure our voice is heard.
Please reach out to us if you would like guidance. We are here and happy to help.
Emily Williams is the sustainability and innovation partnerships leader at TC Transcontinental Packaging. She is chair of the ELC Advocacy Committee. Natalie Jardell is the sustainability and technical manager, key accounts packaging inks, for Flint Group. She is vice-chair of the ELC Advocacy Committee.
