The kickoff of FlexPAC™, the political action committee (PAC) for the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), and its inaugural event at FPA’s annual meeting were huge successes. To reach the flexible packaging industry’s legislative and regulatory goals, FPA needs policymakers in Washington, D.C., as well as states who understand the industry and our mission-critical priorities such as extended producer responsibility (EPR), material and chemical bans, and product labeling. FlexPAC™ will serve as the federal political action committee representing the flexible packaging industry.
Funded by voluntary personal contributions of FPA members, FlexPAC™ will support candidates for political office who understand the broad array of issues facing the packaging industry, particularly flexible packaging. It will help our industry support candidates for federal and state offices in their efforts to win elections and serve in state capitals and on Capitol Hill. FlexPAC™ is a bipartisan PAC and is not beholden to any political parties. It will back Republican, Democratic, and independent candidates who value the flexible packaging industry and who will support FPA efforts in Washington, D.C., and state capitals. With the 2024 election season in full swing, it has never been more vital to understand the value of political engagement and the need to strengthen the flexible packaging industry’s political resources.
At FPA’s annual meeting in March in Tucson, Arizona, FlexPAC™ held a breakfast with George Khalaf, president of Data Orbital and managing partner of The Resolute Group, as the keynote speaker. Khalaf has leveraged his political instincts, data expertise, and strategic relationships to advance clients and causes throughout the United States. He spoke about the current election cycle and the importance of political influence and engagement. While the current state of Congress has been chaotic at best, FPA must continue to work with current and future lawmakers to address several challenges that need federal support. This includes EPR and labeling for recyclability.
FPA weighed in on just that for a March 6, 2024, hearing on “Examining Extended Producer Responsibility Policies for Consumer Packaging” that the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) held. In our statement on the record, FPA commended EPW for holding the hearing and reiterating the environmental sustainability and innovation in our industry. FPA also stressed the need for infrastructure investment to collect, sort, and bring flexibles to full circularity, rather than implementing material and packaging bans. We also planted the seeds for a federal labeling for recyclability solution versus the state-by-state approach that we see emerging. FlexPAC™ will assist FPA with access and impact as we work toward these and other policy goals going forward.
A special thank-you to the 34 inaugural members who gave to the PAC and who attended our first event—let’s keep the momentum going.
Alison Keane, Esq., IOM, CAE
President and CEO
Flexible Packaging Association