At Hygienix this morning, INDA president Dave Rousse gave attendees an update on single use plastics issue and how it could impact the absorbent hygiene products industry. While legislation regarding SUPs does not exsist in North America, Rousse says he expects governments in the U.S. and Canada to move quickly on the issue. In response, INDA and its members have formed a working group dedicated to the issue with the goal of influencing policy and ensuring it does not simply replicate European law.

"North America does not face the same issues as Europe does so policy should not be the same," he says adding a performance based definition of plastics taking into consideration end of life potential and responsible sourcing would be preferred.

Already, INDA has seen some success as part of a coalition influencing plasitcs directives under review in California. Rather than target just plastics, the California bill would focus on priority single use items.

Meanwhile, through its working committee, INDA is focusing on working with government entities, focusing on the creation of suitable definitions and developing a white paper focused on wet wipes, which have been specifically mentioned in some pending legislation.