Sabert Speaks: Conversation with Dan Felton, Executive Director, AMERIPEN

Welcome to "Sabert Speaks," a new interview series where we engage the leaders and influencers who are shaping the future of food packaging and driving sustainability initiatives.  Join us as we uncover insights, share best practices, and discuss the latest trends that are revolutionizing how we think about food packaging in a world increasingly focused on environmental responsibility. Whether you're a foodservice operator, a packaging professional, or simply curious about what’s new in the industry, "Sabert Speaks" aims to have conversations that will inform and inspire.

Dan Felton
Executive Director 
AMERIPEN

What are the most pressing sustainability challenges facing the packaging industry today?

I think the most pressing sustainability challenge facing the packaging industry today from the public policy perspective is that we need even more industry professionals participating in the development, implementation and maintenance of laws and regulations impacting our industry. We all know that the packaging industry is working hard to create and use the most sustainable packaging and be a sustainable industry, but policymakers need to know more about that. I often say that if you and your company are not actively participating in and making decisions about sustainability within the public policy realm, policymakers are making those decisions for you – and you might not like them!

What role does AMERIPEN play in advocating for science-based policies in the packaging industry?

We lead efforts throughout the U.S. at the state and federal levels to influence the development, introduction, passage, implementation and maintenance of fair, science-based and sound laws and regulations impacting the U.S. packaging industry. We do this in a whole host of ways, from working with our members and other stakeholders to develop policies, to drafting and commenting on proposed legislation and regulations, to convening stakeholders through coalitions and other mechanisms, to directly advocating and lobbying policymakers. We use many different tools and resources to accomplish this, including AMERIPEN science-based research.

What are some common misconceptions about packaging that AMERIPEN is working to address?

One common misconception we are constantly working to address is that packaging is waste. It is not. It has value at the beginning of its life, in the middle of its life when it is delivering and protecting a product, and at its end of life. Packaging doesn’t belong in landfills, roadways or waterways, and we need and want it back to create new packaging or other products. Another common misconception that AMERIPEN is working to address is that a lot of packaging is not compostable, recyclable or reusable. It, in fact, is, but we might need more infrastructure and helpful public policies (i.e., good extended producer responsibility, reasonable labeling requirements) in place to get that packaging properly composted, recycled, or reused.

What recent legislative or regulatory changes have had the most significant impact on the packaging industry?

The recent emergence of packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) in the U.S. will, without question, have some of the most significant impacts we have seen in decades on the packaging industry writ large. While none of the five full packaging EPR laws that have now passed are fully up and running (we are hip deep right now in implementation and rulemaking), I suspect they will dynamically and materially shift how a lot of packaging will be handled at its end of life, and potentially at the beginning of its life too through design. The emergence of new laws and regulations in the U.S. related to labeling, recycled content, and chemicals in packaging will, of course, also cause impacts on the packaging industry, but I don’t believe to the extent that packaging EPR will.

What are some key areas where more research is needed to inform better packaging policies and practices?

Two areas AMERIPEN is currently focused on where we believe more research is needed to inform better packaging policies and practices are recycled content supply and demand and historical source reduction efforts undertaken by the packaging industry. We believe more data in both of these areas will help inform discussions with policy makers as they continue to take an interest in recycled content and source reduction mandates.

How is AMERIPEN working with other stakeholders (e.g., policymakers, environmental groups) to find common ground on packaging issues?

We have spent literally years developing relationships with policymakers, NGOs and others, becoming a trusted source and subject matter expert. This causes other like-minded stakeholders to approach us to work together and gives us the credibility to reach out proactively to new stakeholders to build and maintain new relationships. As stated earlier, we work directly and regularly with these stakeholders to develop policies, draft, and comment on proposed legislation and regulations, facilitate and participate in coalition discussions and work, and sometimes even advocate and lobby alongside them. Just like when working with AMERIPEN members and others within the packaging industry, we can’t always agree on everything, but we work hard to find that common ground where we can all move forward together.

Can you discuss any recent successful initiatives or campaigns that AMERIPEN has led to improve packaging sustainability?

The recent passage of the new packaging EPR law in Minnesota, in which AMERIPEN was deeply involved for nearly two years, should be considered a success for the packaging industry in terms of being a more balanced, producer-friendly law that we believe could actually help drive and improve packaging sustainability in a measured and meaningful way. In terms of other initiatives and campaigns that AMERIPEN is leading to help improve packaging sustainability, we are in the process of launching a new value of packaging campaign through an increased social media and website presence. Our Sustainability Committee has been very involved in the development of this campaign and we are very excited about it.

How can members of the packaging industry get involved with AMERIPEN?

First and foremost, join AMERIPEN! After that, get involved in as many committees, taskforces and workgroups with which you are comfortable and have the time to help drive and shape the work we do. Attend our Annual Summit held every year in Washington DC, attend our legislative fly-ins held there and in other capitals throughout the year, and sign up for attend our regular webinar series to learn more about the policy issues in which we’re engaged and that are impacting your company.