Record Attendance, Critical Policy Conversations Highlight AMERIPEN Annual Summit
AMERIPEN President Lynn Dyer and Circular Action Alliance CEO Jeff Fielkow discuss the latest developments in EPR implementation, industry collaboration, and the evolving packaging policy landscape during a fireside chat at the 2026 AMERIPEN Annual Summit.
AMERIPEN welcomed a record number of attendees to its 2026 Annual Summit, bringing together over 140 industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, sustainability experts, recyclers, composters, and advocates from across the packaging value chain to explore the policies, programs, and partnerships shaping the future of packaging in the United States.
Held June 15–17 at The Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C., the Summit featured discussions on extended producer responsibility (EPR), responsible end markets, chemicals in packaging, reuse systems, federal policy developments, and advocacy strategies, culminating in direct engagement with Members of Congress and congressional staff on Capitol Hill.
"The conversations taking place today are fundamentally different than the conversations we were having just a few years ago," said Lynn Dyer, president of AMERIPEN. "Packaging policy has entered a new phase. We are moving from debate to implementation, from isolated policy discussions to interconnected systems challenges. Whether the issue is EPR or other packaging-related policies, the decisions being made today will have long-term implications across the packaging value chain."
A recurring theme throughout the Summit was the growing convergence of packaging policy issues and the increasing need for collaboration across industry sectors, policymakers, and stakeholders. Speakers emphasized that implementation, accountability, and measurable outcomes are becoming central to policy discussions at both the state and federal levels.
The Summit opened with a fireside conversation between Dyer and Circular Action Alliance CEO Jeff Fielkow, who provided attendees with updates on implementation efforts in the seven states with EPR for packaging laws. Additional sessions explored the development of responsible end markets, emerging policy activity surrounding chemicals in packaging, and the growing role of reuse within packaging policy frameworks.
Attendees also heard directly from state policymakers during a panel featuring Connecticut Senator Rick Lopes, Massachusetts Representative Ted Phillips, and Rhode Island Representative Brian Kennedy. The discussion provided attendees with insight into how policymakers evaluate packaging issues and reinforced the importance of early engagement, transparent communication, and constructive collaboration.
The Summit concluded with AMERIPEN's annual Capitol Hill advocacy day. Attendees met with congressional offices to advocate for passage of the Packaging and Claims Knowledge (PACK) Act (H.R. 6832).
During these meetings, AMERIPEN members emphasized the importance of establishing consistent national truth-in-labeling standards for recyclability, compostability, and reuse claims while sharing industry perspectives on the practical implications of packaging policy decisions.
About AMERIPEN
AMERIPEN - the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment – represents the entire packaging value chain, advocating for responsible packaging policies that drive meaningful progress in packaging sustainability while supporting industry growth and consumer needs. As the leading voice for packaging policy in the United States, AMERIPEN works with legislators, regulators, and stakeholders to develop science-based, data-driven solutions that enhance packaging’s role in product protection and circularity. Learn
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