Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1332064
24 PalletCentral • January-February 2021 palletcentral.com O ur industry came together in many ways during this unprecedented year. We all worked overtime to supply the most critical and life-supporting products our nation needs. The NWPCA staff shifted our activities quickly as well to ensure business continuity for our members and their businesses. We are proud to lead this industry. Wooden pallets and containers are a critical piece of global supply chain logistics and clearly recognized as such as seemingly all 'essential' goods make it through the supply chain on wood pallets. In 2021, we will continue to advocate on your behalf and deliver the strong environmental and performance message of wood packaging in the supply chain. These are highlights from 2020 with some insights into 2021. Essential Services, Critical Infrastructure NWPCA was successful in having our industry identified as "Essential" by the U.S. government through early outreach to the White House. Wood pallets were recognized on March 16, 2020 when President Trump issued the first Coronavirus guidance for America that emphasized the significance of the pandemic and highlighted BETTER TOGETHER– COLLABORATION OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES YEAR IN REVIEW NWPCA's staff reflect on the unique year and all its accomplishments on behalf of the membership. the importance of the critical infrastructure workforce. • NWPCA led a grassroots campaign immediately with over 406 participants and 3,555 actions taken; over 900 letters sent to officials letting them know that wooden pallets are an essential service and critical infrastructure. • The Department of Homeland Security Cyber Security & Infrastructure Agency (CISA) released guidance that reinforced this message and declared the wooden pallet and container sector "Critical Infrastructure" stating that, "Functioning critical infrastructure is imperative during the response to the COVID-19 emergency for both public health and safety as well as community well-being." • NWPCA led a grassroots campaign in December to urge legislators to prioritize frontline pallet essential manufacturing workers for vaccinations. • NWPCA plans to meet with the Biden transition team to ensure the role of our industry as essential business and critical infrastructure, and to avoid any unintentional federal regulatory action that could restrict trade and the movement of pallets. Communications & Resources We filled our members email in-boxes with ever- changing news bulletins; some e-news delivered on a daily basis over the spring. While PalletCentral.com PALLETCENTRAL March - April 2020 National Wooden Pallet & Container Association 1421 Prince Street, Suite 340 Alexandria, Va 22314 palletcentral.com PLUS: OSHA & COVID-19 PAGE 24 Biomass Residuals PAGE 36 ESSENTIAL BUSINESS CRITICAL WORKFORCE PAGE 14 C1-29_MARAPR2020_PalletCentral.indd 1 5/5/20 8:58 AM