Membership
RPA is a membership-based non-profit global trade organization that includes companies participating in the supply, use, and service of a reusable transport packaging system involving products such as pallets, bulk bins, totes, trays, containers, racks, wraps, and dunnage. Regular members are businesses that process or supply raw materials; design, make and market transport packaging products and associated components; provide pooling and logistics services; use and handle the reusable packaging in processing, manufacturing, distribution and retail environments; and offer technology, automation, and handling services to the industry.
Membership Categories
Companies that design, manufacture and market reusable packaging products; provide pooling or logistics services; provide technology or automation; and supply raw materials for production.
Annual membership dues January – December are based on annual reusable packaging industry sales:
< $10 million: $3,750
$10 – $100 million: $7,500
> $100 million: $15,000
Primary (End) User Members
Companies and organizations that use rented or purchased reusable packaging products for the transportation of goods in supply chains (i.e. grower-shippers, consumer products companies, OEMs, retailers, etc.)
Annual dues January – December: $500.
Industry Advocates
Nonprofit associations, government entities or academic institutions who’s work promotes or supports the use of reusable packaging solutions.
No annual dues.
Reuse Leaders
Individuals interested in reusable packaging systems or markets in either business-to-business (tertiary packaging) or business-to-consumer (primary packaging) applications, including entrepreneurs, sustainability professionals, consultants, investors, advisors, and packaging engineers.
Annual dues July – June: $99.
Qualifications for Regular Company Membership
RPA defines a "reusable packaging product" as having the four characteristics listed below. If your company works with a packaging product that meets these characteristics, your company likely qualifies for RPA membership.
The reusable packaging product is:
- Designed and manufactured for durability and lasting repeatable use in its original or repaired condition over an extended period generally measured in years.
- Used in a managed system that ensures its post-use recovery, return and repositioning for continuous purpose.
- Intended for packaging source reduction and elimination of single-use or one-way solid waste generation.
- Never disposed of or sent to landfill following use, as effort is made to capture the inherent material value for another manufacture or purpose.
It is important to distinguish that a recyclable product or a product made from recycled materials is not necessarily reusable. Reusable products are repeatedly used in their existing form before they are recycled. Products made and intended for a single use destined for recycling are not reusable.
NEW June 2023: Qualifications for Individual Reuse Leader Membership
The "Reuse Leaders" membership is open to all individuals interested in reusable packaging systems or markets in either business-to-business (tertiary packaging) or business-to-consumer (primary packaging) applications, including entrepreneurs, sustainability professionals, consultants, investors, advisors, and packaging engineers, for example. RPA offers the individual membership category for practitioners, students, and advocates of reuse systems to engage with companies and experts in the association and to keep informed on industry activities related to reusable packaging, particularly focused on the distribution of goods in the supply chain.
Why Join RPA?
For over two decades RPA has been working with member companies to represent and advance the business interests of the reusable transport packaging industry. Today, RPA is the global leader in advocating reusable packaging systems and managing programs for member collaboration on common industry objectives. Join RPA to engage with the reusable packaging industry, network with leading reuse experts and practitioners, build relationships with partners and customers, increase awareness on reuse strategies and tactics, collaborate on industry projects, promote your company and market reuse solutions, and contribute to a growing reuse economy.
Membership Benefits Table
 | Regular Members: | Regular Members: | Companies or OrganizationsIndustry AdvocatesOrganizations such as universities, consulting | Individuals: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Voting PrivilegesBylaws II(3): "All dues paying Regular Members of the Association shall be entitled to vote on all matters relating to the Association, including but not limited to the election of Elected Directors and the conduct of a major corporate event." | X | X | ||
Board of Directors EligibilityBylaws IV(4): "Only individuals employed by Regular Members may serve as Officers and Directors." | X | X | By Invitation | |
Committee ParticipationCommittees or workstreams assemble members for the purposes of a forum on common industry issues and collaborative projects for advancement of industry education or promotion. | X | X | X | By Invitation |
Trade Show Pavilion AccessPartnered trade events hosting a dedicated exhibit space exclusive for members to take a booth and showcase their reusable packaging products and services, such as the Reusable Packaging Pavilion at PACK EXPO. | X | X | X | |
Trade Show Live EducationParticipation as a sponsor, speaker, or panelist at an in-person or virtual education conference, such as the Reusable Packaging Learning Center at PACK EXPO. | X | X | X | By Invitation |
Marketing and Media PromotionActivities for the promotion of industry messaging and regular member companies through channels such as the Reusables Marketplace, Inner Loop blog, Reuse on Replay podcast, webinars, social media, and press coverage. | X | X | ||
Excellence AwardEligibility to apply and win the annual Excellence in Reusable Packaging Award celebrating a reuse system, design innovation, and product technology in the commercial marketplace. | X | X | ||
Reuse Leaders Education WebinarsMember-exclusive seminars featuring subject matter experts who share business insights and answer attendee questions. | X | X | X | X |
RPA Newsletter & CommunicationsEmailed communications of news and announcements on industry topics, association activities, and member opportunities. | X | X | X | X |
Members-Only Website AccessUser account access to non-public files, association documents, and committee activities | X | X | ||
Special Reports AccessReceipt of proprietary publications free of charge, such as the State of the Industry report and committee whitepapers | X | X | X | X |
RPA Events InvitationParticipation at member events and activities, such as industry forums and networking receptions. | X | X | X | X |