The New Politics Of Energy

This article by world energy expert Daniel Yergin provides a brief but insightful look at the constantly churning global politics of energy.  He describes the power shifts that might come about during the next two decades as the world struggles to move away from oil dependence and towards more sustainable forms of energy.  LEARN MORE. […]


Why Is It So Hard To Find Disinfectant Wipes?

It’s a question I had, and so did all my friends.  Finally, a writer for Slate Magazine’s online publication got some answers.  This informative article talks about the complex supply chain that runs from China to various manufacturing facilities in the U.S.  And then there is the age-old problem of supply and demand.  Go here […]


Remanufacturing: Saving Carbon & the Environment

The Galisano Institute for Sustainability, which is associated with the Rochester Institute of Technology, is a global leader in industrial remanufacturing processes.  Remanufacturers return used or worn parts to like-new condition, which is great for the environment.  Packaging reconditioners are part of this new field; they take used steel drums and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), […]


RIPA Mourns the Passing of Artist Christo Vladimirov Javacheff

The artist known to the world simply as Christo has passed away at 84.  Known for his massive installations around the world, he had a special place in his heart, and his art, for steel drums.  The picture below shows the London Mastaba, which is a 7,500 drum exhibit installed in London’s Hyde Park.  The […]


RIPA Launches Coronavirus Update HUB

RIPA has rolled out a new “Coronavirus Update Hub” on its website.  The Hub contains all the Special Bulletins that the association has released since the onset of the pandemic, as well as numerous links to key federal, state and business resources. “RIPA maintains regular contact with federal officials anis d a wide range of […]


Are industrial packaging reconditioners & manufacturers “essential businesses”? You bet they are.

As we struggle as a nation to confront and defeat COVID-19, state Governors are issuing lists of “essential businesses” that must stay open to make needed products like sanitizing solutions, lubricants for machinery and much more.  Reconditioners and manufacturers of steel and plastic drums, as well as intermediate bulk containers, provide containers to key industry […]


New Federal Legislation Addressing Plastic Pollution Introduced

Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) have introduced legislation, Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, that would require corporations to take responsibility for their share of plastic pollution and greatly expand the nation’s post-use plastics management infrastructure.  The bill also seeks to set up recycling and reuse systems for empty plastic packaging.  […]


United Nations Acts to Promote Greater Use of Recycled Plastics in Industrial Packagings

On December 5, 2019, the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods voted unanimously to allow the use of recycled plastics materials in the manufacture of new intermediate bulk container (IBC) inner receptacles.  If the proposal is approved by the full Committee of Experts in December 2020, it would open a […]


Industrial Packagings are Great Examples of Circular Economy Principles

Nearly 35 million industrial packagings, such as steel and plastic drums as well as intermediate bulk containers, are reconditioned and returned to productive service by RIPA members every single year.  Not only do reused industrial packagings save massive amounts of carbon emissions when compared to newly manufactured single-trip packagings of the same type, they are […]


RIPA Goes “Live” on Social Media

RIPA has taken the next big step towards global dissemination of information about issues of importance to the reconditioning industry.  We’re now “live” on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook! And, we have created a blog on our web site that will be regularly updated with news and articles of interested to members and, importantly, your customers. […]