Arlington, VA, Oct. 17, 2014 – The Reusable Packaging Association has launched a redesigned website www.reusables.org that makes it easy for end users to access informative tools and interact with and learn from fellow users of reusables and suppliers.
“Until now, end users have lacked a central and comprehensive forum for information and resources about reusables, and an avenue to engage with others. Our new website gives them social media tools to interact with each other. It also gives potential and current end users easy access to objective research, best practices, case studies and much more to help them determine if reusables make sense for their supply chain, make implementation more successful, and adoption and return on investment stronger,” said Robert Engle, RPA Board Chairman.
Additional enhancements to the website are being phased in between now and the end of the year. Upon completion, the website will offer:
• Opportunities to interact with each other, the RPA, and suppliers of reusables through a Connected Community. Members and users will be able to share information on subjects of mutual interest and create their own communities on the site.
• Social media channels to foster more engagement.
• A Marketplace where users can easily search and find providers of reusable products and services; and
• Access to the RPA’s Reusables Learning Center where visitors can find case studies, best practices, research, calculators, and in-depth information about moving through the stages of implementing and strengthening the use of reusables.
Much of the redesign was built in response to insights gleaned from end users of reusables during an RPA roundtable this spring.
“The focus group told us loud and clear that end users want an impartial, third-party resource for information, and they felt RPA could be that trusted source,” said Jerry Welcome, President of the RPA. “Our enhanced website, redesigned from the end-user perspective, strengthens the association’s role of being the credible ‘go-to’ source of knowledge and information about the reusable industry.”
The RPA also improved the website experience for its members who are suppliers of reusable products and services. New functionality will let members provide more information to the marketplace, and give them access to research and reports exclusive to members.
The launch of the website complements two other new initiatives from the RPA that provide more value to end users. Next year, the RPA will host an all-new Reusable Packaging Forum in Chicago, April 27 – 29. The Forum will be geared to all skill levels of end users. Content will be focused on the various stages of adoption of a reusable transport packaging solution (concept understanding, acceptance, implementation and refinement).
The third effort focused on end users was the creation of a User Advisory Committee that provides guidance and feedback to the RPA Board and staff on issues and trends affecting users of returnable transport packaging systems. They are also involved in developing the program for the 2015 forum. The committee, chaired by Cindy Doman, packaging engineer at Herman Miller, helps ensure that the RPA remains focused on issues and concerns that are important to end users. Anyone wishing to join the committee should contact Jerry Welcome, RPA President, at jwelcome@reusables.org.
“Each of these initiatives is significant. Together, they strengthen the RPA’s commitment and value to end users. We are excited to bring these opportunities to end users, and to expand the role of the RPA in the reusables industry,” said Welcome.
About the RPA
The Reusable Packaging Association is a collaborative effort between manufacturers, poolers, distributors, retailers and educators to promote the environmental, safety, and economic benefits of reusable packaging. The RPA serves as the collective voice of the industry and uses its knowledge of the members’ products and services to advance the adoption of reusable packaging and systems throughout the supply chain. The RPA is focused on promoting the expansion of reusables as the preferred packaging solution across supply chains in all industries. For more information, visit https://reusables.org or call (703) 224-8284.
Media contact: Jerry Welcome
P.O. Box 369
Linden, VA 22642
Phone (540) 631-0773
Email: info@reusables.org
Web Site: www.reusables.org