FPA Testifies at U.S. House Subcommittee Hearing on Recycling and Economic Development

Felton Urges Federal Support for Investment in Recycling Infrastructure, Innovation, and National Labeling Standards to Help Achieve Full Circularity for Flexible Packaging and Films

Dan Felton, President & CEO of the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce (E&C) Subcommittee on Environment during a July 16, 2025 hearing about recycling innovation and economic growth.

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce (E&C) Subcommittee on Environment focuses on the regulation of solid, hazardous, and nuclear wastes, including mining, nuclear, oil, gas, and coal combustion waste.

• Environment Hearing: Beyond the Blue Bin: Forging a Federal Landscape for Recycling Innovation and Economic Growth
• FPA Written Testimony for the Hearing

After introducing FPA, the leading advocate and voice for the growing U.S. flexible packaging industry, Felton gave an overview of what flexible packaging is, cited several industries and products using flexible packaging, and highlighted the value of flexible packaging.

“Flexible packaging is one of the most sustainable packaging types, as it reduces water and energy consumption, improves product-to-package ratio, enhances transportation efficiency, minimizes food waste, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” said Felton.

Felton then spoke about recycling and proposed to the subcommittee several public policy issues on which FPA is focused to increase flexible packaging recycling through innovation and economic growth, and that could benefit from federal government support. This includes the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act (RIAA) and the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act (RCCA) currently under consideration in Congress; advanced recycling technologies; the use of recycled content in flexible packaging; and support for a federal law for the labeling of packaging for compostability, recyclability, and reusability.

“FPA is deeply committed to solving packaging waste issues and increasing the recyclability and recycling of flexible packaging,” Felton testified. “We are collaborating with manufacturers, brand owners, recyclers, retailers, waste management companies, and other organizations to continue making strides toward total packaging recovery.”

About the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA)

The Flexible Packaging Association is the voice of the U.S. manufacturers of flexible packaging and their suppliers. The association’s mission is connecting, advancing, and leading the flexible packaging industry. Flexible packaging represents over $42 billion in annual sales in the U.S. and is the second largest and one of the fastest-growing segments of the packaging industry. Flexible packaging is produced from paper, plastic, film, aluminum foil, or any combination of those materials, and includes bags, pouches, labels, liners, wraps, rollstock, and other flexible products.