NOVEMBER 2023
arguments to EU in counter ing contentious claims made by competing products. However, having attended the Global Pallet Forum in conjunction with Interapal, he expressed optimism that this challenge may be met going forward. “I was extremely enthusiastic and encouraged by the Global Forum, that we might have a way of aggregating and bringing them together so that we can actually raise these
arguments with a lot more strength," he
he said.”
"The key message for me is to make sure you stay as united as an industry and have one voice," stated John Dye, Technical & Industry Affairs Director at Scott Pallets. "You can't have poolers going off the one direction, white pallets going in another direction, recyclers going in another direction. We’ve all got the same story to tell. Our products store the carbon; it is a good news story."
Brent McClendon, NWPCA President/CEO, emphasized the importance of sharing the sustainability good news story provided by wood packaging. “In the policy arena, we always talk about you're either at the table or on the menu, right? You're on the bus or under the bus. So you really have to be in that fray. In the fray and not just with policy folks, it's with your customers, it's in your communities.”
"I think the message here is that you are the best ambassadors and we need to continue talking, discussing and presenting this passion and this data," Dye echoed. "And I think it will be a very good outcome at the end of the day."
Fons Ceelaert, FEFPEB Secretary General, reported that FEFPEB will be updating its Packaging from Nature campaign, which was the inspiration for the Nature’s Packaging program in North America. FEFPEB is introducing a new logo and website, updated with new content and fresh data.
“The Interpal conference’s success, marked by an exceptional lineup of speakers and enthusiastic attendees, underscores that wood pallets are the linchpin of a sustainable supply chain thanks to the industry’s proactive and innovative leadership,” said Brent McClendon, NWPCA President and CEO.
“The critical role of wood pallets in the global supply chain is undeniable, and through events like these, we spotlight the industry’s immense contribution to solving complex environmental challenges as global shipping demands continue to grow.”
“So thank you very much, again, for attending,” Scott Geffros, CWPCA General Manager, said in the closing remarks. “It's been an absolute pleasure to host all of you and see a lot of very familiar faces and a lot of new faces, which has been absolutely fantastic. And that's what it's all about, reconnecting with the old and meeting the new, so it's been wonderful.”