Skolnik

"The time is right to seek greater Federal recognition of, and support for, increased use of reusable packagings," stated Paul Rankin, President of RIPA (The Reusable Industrial Packaging Association). The presentation was made at the Annual Meeting for the Reusable Pallet and Container Coalition. Rankin explained that recent studies indicate that using reusable packaging reduces energy consumption, waste disposal and greenhouse gas emissions. He also stated that until now, most Federal programs were designed to reduce consumer waste and expand recycling. Rankin went on to propose that as part of a national packaging reuse strategy, there needs to be the creation of a coalition of organizations interested in promoting materials and packaging reuse at a national level that would include corporate users of reusable packaging, non-for-profits dedicated to material reuse, and groups representing government agencies. To join this coalition, contact Paul Rankin at 301.577.3786 or email prankin@igc.org.