AMERIPEN: New U.S. environment-focused packaging organization formed

The new organization, formed by leading CPGs, will encourage a science-based approach and will represent the interests of the industry in public policymaking.

Leading U.S. corporations have announced that they are taking steps to create a new packaging trade organization. AMERIPEN will engage on public policies impacting the packaging value chain on topics related to packaging and the environment, and will represent the interests of the industry, which includes raw material producers, packaging manufacturers, packaging users and fillers, retailers, and material recovery organizations.

Corporate founders include The Coca-Cola Co., Colgate-Palmolive, ConAgra Foods, The Dow Chemical Co., DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers, Kellogg Company, MeadWestvaco (MWV), Procter & Gamble, Sealed Air Corporation, and Tetra Pak, Inc.

Modeled after EUROPEN and INCPEN, the European and British counterparts, respectively, AMERIPEN will advocate packaging policy developments in North America focusing on measures that are environmentally and economically sound, as well as socially responsible. AMERIPEN, with a material-neutral approach, will encourage science-based decision-making on sustainable packaging initiatives and will provide a point of view and guidance to policymakers and thought leaders on the value of packaging.

“AMERIPEN will further enhance the packaging value chain’s commitment to continuously improving its sustainability profile and reducing packaging waste,” says AMERIPEN president Joan Pierce. “The organization will play an instrumental role in conveying this message to opinion leaders in North America and ensuring that participants in the packaging value chain have maximum scope to innovate, compete, and operate in a resource-efficient way.”

Says Julian Carroll, managing director of EUROPEN, “Today, the complexity of environmental issues confronting packaging is greater than ever. Having a voice to represent common industry views of these matters and help shape public policy is an absolute essential. In Europe, our experience with such an approach over more than 20 years has been positive and productive for industry. EUROPEN welcomes the formation of AMERIPEN, congratulates those who have led this initiative, and recommends membership to every packaging value chain member.”

Comments AMERIPEN vice president Gail Tavill, “With the emergence of extended producer responsibility and other potential packaging legislation in the coming years, this is a critical time for our industry to offer a competing voice. We’re committed to providing necessary expertise and insight to ensure sustainable management of packaging throughout its life cycle.”

AMERIPEN will engage with thought leaders in the packaging industry, including trade associations, academic institutions, NGOs, and government agencies to facilitate relevant research and identify key data and standards to advance AMERIPEN’s mission.

To learn more about AMERIPEN, attend the Sustainable Packaging Symposium 2011. At the event, Ron Cotterman of Sealed Air will provide an update on the organization, and will describe AMERIPEN’s mission and vision for the packaging industry.

Source: AMERIPEN