Every year the president and Congress engage in the annual federal budget process to fund all aspects of the federal government. This complex process seems to get more complicated every year.
Read MoreAdvocacy Corner
Federal and State Advocacy Initiatives
FPA conducts important advocacy work at the federal and state levels. Read updates on current legislature that relates to the flexible packaging industry.
Packaging EPR Bills Falter, Challenging Policies Remain in Play
July/Aug 2022
Several states are considering proposals that are “simpler solutions” to address packaging in the waste stream. Those concerns continue to be driven by concern over plastic pollution.
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All Sides Agree: Workforce Issues Need Solutions
May/June 2022
While aspects of the economy are in recovery, workforce issues are at a crisis point. Public and private entities, large and small companies are facing unprecedented challenges in finding and retaining both entry-level and skilled workers as the labor force participation rate continues to decline.
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More States Ponder Packaging Policies
May/June 2022
This year, more states are debating packaging issues. These debates, at times, are taking contrasting views over the role of producers in recycling systems and how requirements are developed.
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2022 State Legislative Sessions Heat Up Early
March/April 2022
This year will likely prove to be another significant and precedent-setting year with the addition of several new state laws that will govern how packaging is made and managed at the end of life.
Read MoreMidterm Elections Just Months Away
March/April 2022
These days, Washington is in a constant election cycle. A lot is at stake this November, including control of both the House and Senate.
Read More2022 State Legislative Discussions Speed Up
Jan/Feb 2022
State legislators introduced multiple bills in 2021, and some of those measures resulted in several new laws impacting packaging.
Read MoreCybersecurity Becomes High Priority
Jan/Feb 2022
Many priorities are the same every year—plastics, tariffs, and recycling. In 2022, cybersecurity has been added to that upper echelon of importance.
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Expect Busy 2022 State Legislative Docket
EPR, labeling, and recycling at the fore
Nov/Dec 2021
If 2021 was a landmark year in terms of new packaging policy at the state level, 2022 likely will prove to be another precedent-setting year with the addition of several new state laws. Active conversations in at least a half dozen states indicate that the interest in new packaging policy has not waned and may be even larger.
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Looking Back / Moving Forward
Biden Administration provides more clarity with priorities
Nov/Dec 2021
The Flexible Packaging Association’s (FPA) federal advocacy efforts continue to advance to protect the priorities of the flexible packaging industry. “Flexible” has been the word of the year again, and efforts in Washington, D.C., continued to embrace this mantra.
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National Recycling Efforts Gain Support
Congress Considers Numerous Proposals
Sept/Oct 2021
A top legislative priority for the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) continues to be an unwavering commitment to advocate for a national strategy to improve, advance, and increase plastics recycling in the U.S. From the time the Biden Administration and the 117th Congress were first sworn in earlier this year, FPA has worked with our industry partners on efforts to advance a comprehensive strategic framework to implement legislation and regulations that will create a more circular economy for flexible packaging and all plastics.
Read MoreMaine and Oregon Pass First U.S. EPR Laws
Sept/Oct 2021
2021 will go down as a landmark year in terms of new packaging policy at the state level. Maine and Oregon’s legislatures have now officially passed extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging sold or distributed in their states.
Read MoreState Legislative Agendas Narrow
Packaging Policies Debated Through Spring Sessions
July/Aug 2021
The 2021 state legislative sessions have focused on key policies that will squarely impact the flexible packing industry, namely post-consumer recycling (PCR) for certain packages, recyclability labeling, and extended producer responsibility (EPR).
Read MoreClimate Change / Sustainability / Environmental Justice
Second Half of Calendar Year Will Be Busy
July/Aug 2021
Calendar year 2021 is halfway over, and the Biden Administration is now more firmly in place.
Read More2021 Off to a Fast Start
States Debating EPR, Recycled Content, and Labeling Bills
May/June 2021
2021 began with a rush in many states to consider policies that will squarely impact the flexible packing industry.
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Washington Shifts to “New Normal” Schedule
Former Recycling Priorities Back On Track
May/June 2021
At this time a year ago, advocacy efforts in Washington were just starting to adjust to the realities of a pandemic-dictated virtual work environment and a mostly reactive emergency-based legislative agenda.
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FPA Plots Course With Biden Administration
Economic Recovery and Sustainability Top List
March/April 2021
Now that the Biden/Harris Administration is in place and the 117th Congress officially underway, the Flexible Packaging Association is working to support several important legislative priorities. Alison Keane, FPA President and CEO, reached out to the new administration early in the transition to communicate the association’s desire to work with the Biden team on legislative […]
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State Elections Set Up a Busy 2021
This Could Be Watershed Year for EPR, Other Bills
March/April 2021
State elections were hotly contested in 2020, and they were of equal importance to federal elections due to the census and redistricting in 2021 and 2022. Despite the millions of dollars poured into state campaigns, it was largely a status quo election. Only the New Hampshire House and Senate switched party control from Democrat to […]
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2021 Framed by Fall Elections
State and Local Governments Will Be Picking Up Packaging Issues
Jan/Feb 2021
Last year, elections at the state level had an outsized importance similar to elections at the federal level. A major driver was the 2020 census and the redistricting that will happen starting next year for Congressional and state legislative districts. State legislatures generally oversee that process, so an incredible amount of money and attention was […]
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Welcome to the 117th Congress
Fresh Start Might Mean More Productive Year in 2021
Jan/Feb 2021
2020 felt like both the longest and the shortest of years. In many respects, it seemed to be never-ending—particularly when it came to the endless election cycle and continuous online meetings. At the same time, given the chaotic nature of adapting to pandemic life and the pressure to complete legislation to address the pandemic response, […]
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