AMERIPEN is the nation’s leading voice for the packaging industry, using evidence-based and data-driven advocacy that advances sustainable solutions for the packaging value chain.
We do this through direct advocacy efforts and coalitions at the state and federal levels. The focus of our work includes policies that impact packaging, including its full lifecycle, from manufacture through disposal.
Since our formation, extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging has been a key policy area for AMERIPEN. EPR is a policy framework that shifts the financial and operational responsibility for managing packaging from local governments and consumers to the companies that produce or sell packaged products.
Get a Clear, Real-World View of How Packaging Works and Why It Matters.
Our EPR advocacy is centered around these core principles:
Results-Based and Data-Driven
Designed to achieve increased recycling, composting, and reuse of packaging based on data from needs assessments.
Effective and Efficient
Focused on best practices and promoting market-based solutions to maximize social and economic benefits that spur positive behaviors at minimal costs, increase packaging recovery, recapture material values, and limit administrative costs.
Equitable and Fair
Focused on all material types and related infrastructure for the residential recycling and composting streams and funded by scaled shared cost allocations that reflect a reasonable balance among stakeholders in the residential recycling system, accounting for voluntary actions supporting material collection, sortation, and development of a domestic recyclable material manufacturing infrastructure.
Harmonized and Streamlined
Aimed at consistency across programs with intentional effort to ensure a framework that promotes package optimization and minimizes consumer confusion.
Other topics that AMERIPEN typically engages on include:
- Labeling requirements: Packaging increasingly needs to communicate messages to consumers and others, especially about proper disposal methods. Learn more about our advocacy efforts at the federal level here.
- End-of-life management such as recycling, composting and reuse, as well as related definitions, i.e., recyclable, compostable and reusable. There is a lack of definitional consistency throughout the end-of-life management system, resulting in numerous issues, including inconsistent labeling and categorization of materials.
- Mandated recycled content, which refers to materials recovered or diverted from the waste stream. The types of recycled content inputs and outputs vary among policies and recycling technologies.
- Mandated source reduction, which typically means using less material in packaging. Deciding which materials to use and methods to achieve this reduction involves various factors. The packaging industry is actively working to optimize materials to reduce waste and preserve natural resources.
- Third-party certifications are independent assessments that verify the fulfillment of specific standards or requirements. Various organizations offer reputable third-party certifications related to packaging.
- Regulation of potential chemicals of concern: A wide range of chemicals are commonly used in packaging to improve performance. Occasionally, the safety of certain chemicals may be questioned, leading to potential restrictions on these “chemicals of concern.”
Our advocacy initiatives are a collaborative effort, with AMERIPEN staff, consultants and members actively engaging through various committees. Check out our policy-related committees here.
Did You Know?
According to AMERIPEN’s 2026 Packaging Industry Economic Impacts Study, the U.S. packaging industry, its suppliers, and related economic activity generate approximately $694.79 billion in economic output, support 1.82 million jobs, and account for $160.39 billion in wages and benefits. Packaging manufacturers and their employees also contribute approximately $63.35 billion in federal, state, and local taxes.
Explore the interactive map to see packaging’s economic impact nationally and by state, including jobs, wages, economic output, and tax contributions.