The Advocacy Committee within the Emerging Leadership Council (ELC) of the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) organizes the annual FPA federal fly-in, among its other duties.
Some FPA members might not understand the importance of this advocacy work. However, political advocacy is more important than ever, as investments in new technologies occur simultaneously with a dramatically evolving legislative landscape.
When a company invests in new technology, a cross-functional team must justify the business case. Everyone tries to make good choices based on the knowledge they have at the time and the circumstances they can control. You try to read the tea leaves, so to speak. But public policy can seem mysterious when looking through the lens of corporate innovation and technology. How can you possibly control the whims of politicians?
For example, extended producer responsibility influences decisions about materials used for packaging in the United States. We had no such systems in place just a few years ago.
Because of the work of your Government Affairs team members, there is no need to be surprised by changes. The next step after awareness is influence. How can your business attempt to influence policies so they can be implementable and logical, and allow for corporate growth and innovation? There are several ways to do this.
FPA Fly-Ins
A starting point is to be a member of the right industry trade associations—such as FPA—which become powerful voices due to their membership representation and expertise in public policy.
The next step is to participate in advocacy opportunities through these trade associations.
Fly-ins help build relationships by putting a face to the name of elected officials relevant to where your company’s facilities are located. Then, invite them to see your facility. Several ELC members hosted successful site visits in 2024.
Make sure you discuss the jobs created in their districts and the importance of the work your facility provides to their constituents. Packaging affects everyone, not just those who make it.
This work is ongoing because policy constantly changes, as does the research and development efforts at FPA member companies.
It’s never a one-time activity. Your policymakers should know about your hard work and developments. Help them understand the value of packaging.
Also, inform your customers that you are trying to be in the room where it happens.
A phrase always comes to mind when thinking about advocacy: You can be at the table, or you can be on the table.
Will you choose to take a seat with FPA?
Emily Williams is chair of the ELC’s Advocacy Committee, a member of FPA’s Chair Advisory Council, and the sustainability and innovation partnerships leader at TC Transcontinental Packaging.