Election Day on November 8 has been a date circled on the calendar for what feels like forever. From the first day of the 117th Congress on January 3, 2021, it seemed the race for the midterm elections had kicked off. Democrats focused their messaging on how to hold majority control of Congress and Republicans on how to regain leadership control. And now, here we are, with the elections upon us and at the time for assessing the impact of and planning for the next Congress.
Read MoreDepartments
Important Work for and in the Industry
Advocacy, volunteerism, and sustainability efforts are all showcased in this section. You’ll also find letters from FPA’s president, who offers her valuable perspective on those topics and more.
2022 Wraps Up With California Passing EPR for Packaging
Nov/Dec 2022
The year 2022 was significant and precedent-setting for the flexible packaging industry, with the addition of new state laws that will govern how packaging is made and managed at the end of life. Numerous states debated packaging issues, with two passing and signing extended producer responsibility bills for packaging. Many more states are addressing issues like recycled content mandates, labeling, and toxic chemicals in packaging.
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ELC Promotes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives
New Committee Will Work With FPA Member Companies
Nov/Dec 2022
The Emerging Leadership Council continues to focus on supporting Flexible Packaging Association member companies and the flexible packaging industry. We are thrilled to announce the formation of a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee to foster, promote, and engage in a culture of diversity and inclusion within the industry.
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SPMC® Gets the Word Out About Its Mission
Council Committed to Next Generation Medical Device Packaging Professionals
Nov/Dec 2022
Sterilization packaging is a complex segment of the flexible packaging industry that is highly regulated and requires specific technical expertise. Since its founding, the Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council has been a trusted source of technical information and guidance for packaging professionals and engineers.
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Clemson University Dedicates Program to Flexible Packaging
Nov/Dec 2022
We talk to Robert M. Kimmel, Sc.D, an associate professor at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina. Kimmel also is director of the packaging science program and director of the Center for Flexible Packaging in the university’s department of food nutrition and packaging sciences.
Read MoreAdvanced Recycling Works—We Just Need to Ramp it Up
Sept/Oct 2022
Recycling does work—but our U.S. recycling infrastructure is decades old; markets have been severely limited by relying on exports for too long; and it doesn’t provide circularity for much of today’s packaging types, including flexible packaging.
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Cooperation Needed Along Value Chain to Achieve Sustainable Flexible Packaging
A Circular Economy Requires a Holistic Approach
Sept/Oct 2022
The flexible packaging industry is seen as a source of single-use plastic and a landfill mainstay, causing flexible packaging’s sustainability benefits to be often overshadowed by public perception. This is why it should be the industry’s top priority to not only talk about sustainability—but also to live it.
Read MoreManufacturing Month Creates Opportunities to Focus on Workforce Issues
Sept/Oct 2022
Even before the pandemic, a workforce shortage was brewing nationwide. The shortage is particularly impactful in the manufacturing sector, as appropriately skilled workers were becoming harder to find.
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2022 Sets New EPR Precedents
Sept/Oct 2022
Despite waning energy earlier in the year, a late surge in interest in packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) produced two new EPR laws.
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Why ‘Elimination’ Won’t Solve the Packaging Pollution Problem
Sept/Oct 2022
Flexible packaging has a target on its back. Shortsighted elimination policies for flexible packaging—and all packaging in general—will not solve the problem and, in many cases, will result in more environ-mental harm.
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Advocating for Flexible Packaging: ELC Group Seeks Your Input
Sept/Oct 2022
This year, the advocacy group of the Emerging Leadership Council is setting its sights even higher, transitioning from informing our member companies to educating and influencing legislators. With this step change in the target audience, we now need your support more than ever to make an impact.
Read MoreSPMC® Forms Sustainability/Regulatory Committee
Technical Committee and Communications Efforts Accelerate
Sept/Oct 2022
The Sterilization Packaging
Manufacturers Council recently formed a Sustainability/Regulatory Committee, which will be working on ensuring that legislation around plastics, packaging, and packaging waste considers the unique requirements of medical device packaging.
Washington State University Emphasizes Food Packaging
Sept/Oct 2022
Nationwide, industries have been struggling to find well-trained workers, and the packaging and flexible packaging industries have not been immune. For the rest of this year, FlexPack VOICE® will profile some of the colleges, universities, and schools that have developed programs to train our future workforce. In this edition, we talk to Shyam S. Sablani, […]
Read MoreInvestment Needed to Deliver Full Circularity
July/Aug 2022
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation recently released a report that focuses on consumer recycling. Much of the report’s strategies follow FPA’s advocacy work on behalf of the industry.
Read MoreSun Chemical Takes Multi-Layered Approach to Sustainability
Corporate Sustainability Report Focuses on ‘Five Rs’
July/Aug 2022
Sun Chemical Corporation report focuses on its commitment to a sustainability strategy comprising three key pillars: operations, products and services, and collaborations.
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The President’s Budget Request Explained
July/Aug 2022
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 MorePackaging 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.
Read MoreSterile Packaging Day 2022 Celebrated In Person, Online
July/Aug 2022
SPMC® member company representatives convened with customers, suppliers, and one another for the first time in several years.
Read MoreIndustry Supports Packaging Programs at Stout
July/Aug 2022
Industry leaders look to hire students who are not afraid to jump in and figure things out. Here, we learn about how the University of Wisconsin-Stout’s program is helping.
Read MoreFPA Plans Membership Drive
May/June 2022
FPA offers unparalleled support to the flexible packaging industry—one of the fastest-growing segments in packaging—and you could be an essential part of that movement.
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